When Kansas City kicker spoke at Benedictine College’s graduation ceremony, he was speaking for himself and not the NFL.
Butker tackled everything from LGBTQ+ community, working women and abortion in his speech on May 11.
But what he said in that speech does not reflect the views of the NFL, per People.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, said in a written statement. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”
Butker targeted President Joe Biden and his stance on abortion, the IJR reported.
“He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I’m sure to many people it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice,” he said.
Butker said “our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally.”
He said Pride Month represented “deadly sins,” People reported.
He then downplayed careers for the graduates and talked more about home life.
“How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world,” Butker said, according to NBC News. “But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
He talked about his wife, stating her life “truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”
When she embraced that vocation, he was able to pursue his success in the NFL.
He advised the men graduates to “be unapologetic in your masculinity,” and to “fight against the cultural emasculation of men,” per People.
Butker’s words sparked some debate.
Former Kansas City commissioner Justice Horn wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Harrison Butker doesn’t represent Kansas City nor has he ever. Kansas City has always been a place that welcomes, affirms, and embraces our LGBTQ+ community members.”
Others also disagreed with Butker.
