Current:Home > MarketsSignalHub-NFL Responds to Kansas City Chiefs Player Harrison Butker's Controversial Graduation Speech -TradeGrid
SignalHub-NFL Responds to Kansas City Chiefs Player Harrison Butker's Controversial Graduation Speech
NovaQuant View
Date:2025-04-09 07:32:56
The SignalHubNFL is making it clear that Harrison Butker does not speak for them.
The Kansas City Chiefs kicker faced criticism for a May 11 commencement speech he gave at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., in which he touched on a number of topics from abortion to the role of women and LGBTQ+ rights.
Following the graduation address, the NFL clarified that Butker's comments do not represent the league as a whole.
"Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity," the NFL's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane said in a statement to People. "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."
During his speech, Butker discussed various political and religious topics, and even quoted the song "Bejeweled" by Taylor Swift, the girlfriend of his teammate Travis Kelce.
"Tragically, so many priests revolve much of their happiness from the adulation they receive from their parishioners. And in searching for this, they let their guard down and become overly familiar," he "said. "This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time. Because as my teammate's girlfriend says, 'familiarity breeds contempt.'"
The 28-year-old also touched on the role he thinks women should play, saying that while many female graduates might "go on to lead successful careers in the world," he believes more of them are "most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world." According to the athlete, his wife Isabelle Butker "would be the first to say her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother."
Butker—who shares two children with Isabelle—additionally took aim at the LGBTQ+ community, saying that Pride Month is "the deadly sin sort of pride," and that the community promotes "dangerous gender ideologies."
He also added that while the COVID-19 pandemic "might've played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique."
"Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues," he continued. "Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder."
E! News reached out to reps for Swift, Butker and the Chiefs for comment but has yet to hear back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (82)
Related
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Dozens of deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
- Nevada parents arrested after 11-year-old found in makeshift jail cell installed years ago
- The Best Spring Floral Dresses That Are Comfy, Cute, and a Breath of Fresh Air
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- United Methodist Church moves closer to enabling regional decisions, paving the way for LGBTQ rights within church
- What happens to your credit score when your spouse dies? (Hint: Nothing good.)
- Provost at Missouri university appointed new Indiana State University president, school says
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Watch as volunteers rescue Ruby the cow after she got stuck in Oregon mud for over a day
Ranking
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- Dozens of deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
- Reggie Bush calls for accountability after long battle to reclaim Heisman Trophy
- Fed’s preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures stayed elevated last month
- Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
- Woman pleads guilty to being accessory in fatal freeway shooting of 6-year-old boy
- Dodgers superstar finds another level after shortstop move: 'The MVP version of Mookie Betts'
- Jerry Seinfeld’s commitment to the bit
Recommendation
Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
Kelly Osbourne says brother Jack shot her in the leg when they were kids: 'I almost died'
Police in Washington city issue alarm after 3 babies overdosed on fentanyl in less than a week
Roger Goodell wants NFL season to run to Presidents' Day – creating three-day Super Bowl weekend
How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
Google's Gaza conflict: Why more bosses are cracking down on Israel-Hamas war protesters
Ellen DeGeneres Says She Was Kicked Out of Show Business for Being Mean
Biden says he's happy to debate Trump before 2024 election