KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker congratulated women on earning their degrees during his commencement address at Benedictine University last weekend, but most likely were more interested in getting married and having children. Comments saying that he must be excited are attracting attention.
The three-time Super Bowl champion also slammed President Joe Biden's stance on abortion and his leadership during the coronavirus pandemic, saying Catholic leaders “We are imposing a dangerous gender ideology on America's youth.”
Butker gave a roughly 20-minute speech Saturday at a private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, about 90 miles north of Kansas City.
Butker, who is well known for his conservative Catholic beliefs, also criticized an Associated Press article that highlighted the shift toward conservatism in some parts of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Butker, 28, targeted Mr. Biden's policies, including his response to the coronavirus pandemic, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“COVID-19 may have played a big role throughout your formative years, but it is not unique,” he says. “Bad policies and poor leadership are negatively impacting major life issues such as abortion, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, euthanasia, and growing support for corrupt cultural values and media. It all stems from widespread disorder.”
Butker then told the women in the audience that his wife was “honoring one of the most important titles of all.” she is a housewife. ”
“I think you, the women, have told the most diabolical lies,” Butker said. “While some of you may go on to have successful careers in the world, I would venture to guess that the vast majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into the world. I think my beautiful wife Isabelle will be the first to say that her life really began when she began fulfilling her duties as a wife and mother.
The Chiefs declined to comment on Butker's commencement address.
A seventh-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2017, he broke the Chiefs franchise record with a 62-yard field goal in 2022 to become the NFL's best kicker. Butker added that he helped the Chiefs win their first Super Bowl in 50 years in 2020. He won his second Lombardi Trophy in 2023 and kicked a field goal that forced overtime against San Francisco in the Super Bowl in February.
But it was an embarrassing offseason for the Chiefs.
Last month, voters in Jackson County, Missouri, flatly rejected a ballot plan that would have funded the construction of the Royals' downtown ballpark and an $800 million renovation of Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs. Many voters criticized the Chiefs' proposed plan as being aimed primarily at VIPs and the wealthy.
That same week, wide receiver Lachie Rice turned himself in to Dallas police on multiple charges, including aggravated assault, after he was involved in a high-speed crash that injured four people. Rice admitted he was the driver of one of the sports cars that were traveling at speeds in excess of 160 mph, and the video shows Rice not providing any information. , he is seen leaving the scene without determining whether anyone needs medical attention.
Last week, law enforcement officials told the Dallas Morning News that Rice is also suspected of assaulting someone at a downtown nightclub. Dallas police did not name Rice as a suspect in a detailed report to The Associated Press.
Chiefs manager Andy Reid was on the phone and said the team is proceeding with the legal process.
