Harrison Butker
Tommaso Boddi/FilmMagicKansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker stood up for his controversial comments during his recent commencement speech.
Butker, 29, was heavily criticized for his remarks about women during his graduation speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, in May. Butker encouraged women to become wives and mothers and said the role of “housekeeper” was “one of the most important titles.”
Butker made a second appearance on Wednesday, Aug. 7 when he spoke to local Kansas City media at the Chiefs’ preseason training camp.
“In terms of what I said, I prayed about it and I thought about it, and I was very intentional with what I said and I stand behind what I said,” said the kicker, per the record shared through X. “I really believe. if people know me as a person and know that I come from a place of love, and not a place to try to attack or put people down… I just want the best for people.”
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker sparked controversy after making comments about gender roles and the LGBTQIA+ community during his graduation speech. Butker, 28, served as the commencement speaker for the graduating class of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas on May 11. During his speech, the athlete singled out female graduates. “To the ladies present (…)
“That’s what I said there. The people in the gymnasium all know what I’m talking about,” he said.
In his May commencement speech, Butker spoke directly to the graduating women in the audience, who he said had “already had the most evil lie told to you.”
“How many of you are sitting here, about to cross this stage, and think about all the promotions and titles you’ll get in your career?” Butker said. “Some of you may have led successful careers in this world, but I would guess that the majority of you are very excited about the marriages and children you will bring into the world.”
#President kicker Harrison Butker spoke to local media at training camp today for the first time since May’s viral commencement speech at Benedictine.
A partial comment, specifically for the feedback we received: pic.twitter.com/9wjQxmShTv
– Marleah Campbell (@MarleahKCTV5) August 7, 2024
Butker then called his wife, Isabelle, which she claims will be “the first to say that her life really began when she began to live as a wife and mother”. She admits Isabelle is the reason she is “the person I am because I have a husband who supports her work.”
Butker’s comments have drawn criticism from fellow footballers, including Jason Kelceand a tennis legend Serena Williams.
Asked specifically about his comments about women during Wednesday’s media scrum, Butker said he didn’t want to “put women down”.
“My whole career I have talked about how I am a husband and a father before explaining to me as a kicker – something I have always preached,” he said. “When I use that to talk about women and say that they should embrace and love their wives and mothers through their careers… I think it will be understood that I am trying to put women down, which I am not at all. I love women, I love my wife, and it comes from a place of love.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has sung the praises of his family over the years. “Growing up my mom was my biggest supporter, guiding me to be the person I was meant to be,” Harrison wrote in a May 2020 Mother’s Day tribute shared via X by Kansas City Chiefs. “Now, I’m very happy to have (…)
Butker continued, “You know, my husband has never heard me speak in public and he was there at the time… I was emotional to see him cry and know that he has sacrificed so much for me. He has completely changed his life, and he has ensured that she has focused on being the ultimate wife and ultimate mother.
“I love him so much, and I see how happy and excited he is every day to wake up and embrace life,” added the kicker. “He pushed me to be a better husband and a better father, and focus on my three kids and focus on them, because maybe trying to be the best kicker I can be on the field.”
