Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has reiterated his support for the remarks he made during a commencement address, despite the backlash they generated. During a ceremony earlier this month, Butker criticized the policies of the Biden administration, implied that many women prioritize marriage and children over academic achievement, and referred to Pride Month as one of the seven deadly sins.
Butker reiterated his stance during his speech at the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee, doubling down on the controversial comments he made during the commencement address. Speaking publicly for the first time since the speech, Butker expressed no regret whatsoever. “Over the past few days, my beliefs or what people think I believe have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe,” Butker stated on Friday. “At the outset, many people expressed a shocking level of hate. But as the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion.”
Butker also noted that most previous comments about him had focused on his performance on the field rather than his remarks off it. “It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all,” he emphasized. Following the commencement speech, the NFL moved to distance itself from Butker’s comments, stating that “his views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”
Chiefs’ star quarterback Patrick Mahomes also offered his perspective on the matter, describing Butker as a “good person” entitled to express his beliefs. The criticism directed at Butker arose just before the Kansas City Chiefs were invited to the White House to commemorate their Super Bowl victory.