Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Sparks Discussion by Referencing Taylor Swift in Graduation Speech

Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Quotes Taylor Swift in Controversial Speech

Ric Tapia/Getty Images; Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Taylor Swift probably wouldn't want to be part of this story. During his graduation speech at Benedictine College on May 11, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker mentioned the superstar, calling her Travis Kelce's girlfriend. Butker, 28, quoted Swift's song "Bejeweled," saying, "As my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘Familiarity breeds contempt’."

Butker's speech has caused a lot of debate, especially when he talked about the false information that women have been fed about their place in society.

He asked the audience how many of them were sitting there, about to graduate, and dreaming about their future job promotions and titles. He then suggested that while some may have big career aspirations, most are probably more excited about starting a family and having children.

In his speech, Butker quoted Swift in an ironic way. Despite Swift's endless musical achievements and record-breaking career spanning almost two decades, she remains humble. Swift holds the record for most Album of the Year Grammy wins and her latest album, The Tortured Poets Department, broke records for single-day streams on Spotify.

The Tortured Poets Department, rumored to contain tracks about Swift and Kelce's romance, quickly became the fastest album to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify. Since its release on April 19, the album has dominated Billboard's top 14 spots. Swift, 34, and Kelce have been in a relationship since the summer of 2023.

Keegan-Michael Key Compares Taylor Swift Travis Kelce to Other NFL Couples 2

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Butker attributed his success to his wife, Isabelle, who converted to the faith, became his wife, and embraced the important title of Homemaker. The couple, who got married in 2018, have two children.

He shared that he has witnessed firsthand how much happier someone can be when they ignore the outside noise and align themselves with God's will in their life. Isabelle may not have fulfilled her dream of having a career, but if you were to ask her today if she regrets her decision, she would confidently say, "Heck, no."

During his speech, Butker criticized President Joe Biden for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned how "bad policies and poor policies have negatively impacted major life issues like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media all stems from the pervasiveness of disorder."

Butker also compared the LGBTQ+ community's Pride to "deadly sins" and expressed his belief that men "set the tone of society. When that is absent, disorder, dysfunction, and chaos set in."

Former Kansas City Commissioner Justice Horn criticized Butker's speech, stating that Butker does not represent Kansas City and its values. Horn emphasized that Kansas City has always been a welcoming and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Editor's P/S:

Harrison Butker's graduation speech has sparked controversy due to his outdated and divisive views on gender roles, LGBTQ+ rights, and the role of men in society. His comments have been condemned by Kansas City leaders, who emphasize the city's inclusivity and support for the LGBTQ+ community. Butker's remarks highlight the ongoing struggle to challenge traditional gender norms and promote equality for all.

It's important to acknowledge the diversity of perspectives on these issues and engage in respectful dialogue. Butker's speech serves as a reminder that prejudice and discrimination persist, and that we must continue to advocate for equal rights and challenge harmful rhetoric that perpetuates stereotypes and undermines the dignity of marginalized groups.