Whoopi Goldberg Supports Harrison Butker Amid Speech Controversy, Draws Parallels to Colin Kaepernick

Whoopi Goldberg Defends Harrison Butker s Speech Compares Chiefs Kicker to Colin Kaepernick

Whoopi Goldberg, Harrison Butker, Colin Kaepernick. Getty Images (3)

In the aftermath of Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech, Whoopi Goldberg came to his defense, emphasizing his right to freedom of speech.

"I appreciate when people speak their minds," shared Goldberg, 68, during an episode of The View on Thursday, May 16. "He was speaking at a Catholic college, and he holds strong Catholic beliefs. It's his right to express them. I may not agree with them, and neither do the women in the audience."

Butker, who is 28 years old, delivered a speech at Benedictine College's graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 11. During his speech, he talked about the harmful lies being spread to women, emphasized the importance of being a homemaker, and made disrespectful comments about the LGBTQ+ community by comparing Pride Month to "deadly sins."

Goldberg added on Thursday that just like we expect respect when Colin Kaepernick kneels, we should also show respect to those with differing opinions.

In 2016, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Kaepernick, who is now 36 years old, started sitting or kneeling during the national anthem before games. He did this to protest against racial injustice and police brutality. Despite becoming a free agent at the end of the season, Kaepernick has not been signed by any other NFL team.

After a lively discussion with the panel, Goldberg connected the anger sparked by Butker's comments to the backlash she has personally experienced in her own life.

“If you’re coming for me, I have the right to say what I say,” she explained. “He has the right to say what he says.”

Whoopi Goldberg Defends Harrison Butker s Speech Compares Chiefs Kicker to Colin Kaepernick

Whoopi Goldberg. Manoli Figetakis/Getty Images

As Goldberg made her argument, Joy Behar sat two seats away with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. 

Goldberg reminded Behar, who is 81 years old, to stop interrupting. She assured Behar that she will always make sure she gets to speak. Behar chuckled and let Goldberg finish her final point. This point focused on the petitions urging the Chiefs to remove Butker from the team.

Goldberg expressed her passion, stating, "I'm going to finish this because it's one of the few times I'm getting in to make a point." She emphasized the importance of not trying to take away someone's job simply because they have a different opinion, "When you say to somebody, 'I don't like what you said and so I'm going to get your job taken away because you disagree with me,' for me that is an issue."

She further explained, "It happens to us all the time! That is why I am standing up for him."

In a statement after the speech, the NFL mentioned that Butker spoke in his own personal capacity. The NFL's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, clarified that Butker's views do not represent the NFL as a whole. Beane emphasized that the NFL remains dedicated to inclusion, believing that it only enhances the strength of the league.

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the contrasting perspectives on freedom of speech, sparked by Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech. While Whoopi Goldberg defends his right to express his beliefs, even if they are disagreeable, others, such as Joy Behar, question the appropriateness of his comments. This debate raises important questions about the limits of free speech and the potential consequences of expressing controversial views.

It's crucial to note that Butker's speech touched on sensitive topics such as gender roles and the LGBTQ+ community, which have been the subject of ongoing discussions and debates. Goldberg's defense of his right to express his views, regardless of whether one agrees with them, highlights the importance of allowing diverse perspectives to be heard. However, it's equally important to consider the potential harm caused by such comments and the responsibility individuals have when using their platform.