Months after his highly controversial commencement speech, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Harrison Butker is speaking out about his “very intentional” words.
On Wednesday, Aug. 7, Butker, 29, addressed the comments he made at Benedictine College on May 11 and stood by his feelings, according to the Associated Press.
“I feel like seven years into the league, with this platform, I just decided, ‘You know what, there are things that I believe in with all my heart that I think will make this world a better place, and I’m going to preach that.’ And if people don’t agree, they don’t, but I’m going to keep saying what I believe to be true and I’m going to love everyone along the way,” Butker said.
He continued, adding, “I prayed about it, I thought about it, and I was very intentional with what I said, and I stand by what I said.”
By Harrison Butker on February 5, 2024.
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The NFL player’s 20-minute address included attacks on working women, the LBGTQ+ community and families using surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF), President Joe Biden and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement, NFL Chief Diversity Officer Jonathan Beane said, “Harrison Butker spoke in his personal capacity. 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.” .”
Former Kansas City Justice Commissioner Justice Horn went further, scathingly criticizing Butker in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Harrison Butker does not represent Kansas City and never has,” he wrote. “Kansas City has always been a place that welcomes, affirms and accepts members of our LGBTQ+ community.”
Travis Kelce Responds to Harrison Butker’s Controversial Speech: ‘I Can’t Say I Agree with the Majority’
Butker’s teammates also spoke about his speech. In the episode of May 24 New heights with Jason and Travis Kelce podcast, Travis Kelce said, “I value him as a teammate.”
Referring to Patrick Mahomes’ comments about the speech, Kelce, 34, continued, “I think Pat said it best when he’s a great person and a great teammate anyway.”
“He treated the friends and family I introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness. And that’s how he treats everyone. When it comes to his views and what he said on [Benedictine’s] commencement speech, those are his,” the tight end continued.
“I can’t say I agree with most of it or anything, except that he loves his family and his children. And I don’t think I should judge him on his views, especially his religious views, on how to go about life, that’s just I didn’t,” he added.
Butker’s latest comments about his speech come days after he signed a contract extension with the Chiefs, becoming the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman. On Monday, Aug. 5, he agreed to a four-year, $25.6 million contract that includes $17.8 million in guaranteed money, according to multiple reports.
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