Patrick Mahomes Says Harrison Butker Is a 'Good Person' But 'Said Certain Things I Don't Agree With'

• Patrick Mahomes called teammate Harrison Butker a “good person” amid backlash over the Chiefs player’s recent speech at Benedictine College
• Mahomes said he disagreed with “certain things” his teammate said in the speech
• The NFL and the Benedictine College nuns released statements condemning Butker’s speech, in which he called Pride Month a display of “deadly sins” and encouraged graduating seniors to embrace hostess status

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes commented on the controversial commencement speech his teammate Harrison Butker gave at Benedictine College, a Catholic college, on May 11.

In the speech, Butker, 28, denounced various “diabolical lies being told to women” on topics including abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy, as well as President Joe Biden.

The Athletic reported on May 22 that Mahomes, 28, confirmed he saw “clips” of his teammate’s speech. “I’ve seen the clips … That’s his point of view,” Mahomes told the newspaper, noting he’s “known” Butker for seven years.

The quarterback said, “I judge him by the character he shows every day and that’s a good person,” adding, “We’re not always going to agree. He’s said some things that I don’t agree with.”

Harrison Butker’s speech explained: Read the Chiefs player’s most controversial comments

Following the backlash to Butker’s speech on social media, the NFL said the league disagrees with the quarterback’s views in a statement to PEOPLE.

“Harrison Butker made a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is unwavering in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger,” Jonathan Beane, NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, told PEOPLE in a written statement.

A statement from the nuns of the Benedictine college condemned Butker’s speech, claiming it was “divisive” in the community. “The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his Benedictine College 2024 commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have invested so much.” the statement read.

Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kevin Sabitus/Getty

During his nearly 20-minute speech, Butker spoke at length about traditional gender roles, directing certain sentiments specifically at male and female graduates.

Butker advised men to be “unapologetic about their masculinity” and to “fight against the cultural emasculation of men,” while encouraging women to embrace their roles as “housewives.”

Chargers mock Chiefs’ Harrison Butker in video schedule and make him ‘host’: Watch

By singling out the graduates, Butker effectively condemned them on a day that should have celebrated the pinnacle of their academic careers. “To the ladies here today, congratulations on an incredible achievement,” he began. “I want to speak to you directly for a moment because I think you women have been the ones who have been told the most diabolical lies.”

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker speaks to the media during NFL football Super Bowl 58.

Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty

“Some of you may have successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that most of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

He also said that Pride Month represents “deadly sins.”

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The speech received a lot of criticism, including comments from celebrities such as Maria Shriver, Flavor Flav and former Kansas City Commissioner Justice Horn.

One of the graduates, Susannah Leisegang, called the speech “freaking horrible” in a TikTok video, saying she and her roommate booed Butker.

Horn slammed Butker in the post, writing, “Harrison Butker does not represent Kansas City and never has. Kansas City has always been a place that welcomes, affirms and accepts members of our LGBTQ+ community.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education