Harrison Butker stands by the remarks he made during his controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College in May.
The Kansas City Chiefs kicker, 29, addressed the local media at training camp on Wednesday, explaining that his comments were made “from a place of love.”
Butker acknowledged the various viewpoints that emerged in response to his speech, in which he suggested women should embrace the role of “homemaker.” “I respect all the viewpoints of those who spoke out about my speech,” Butker said. “But in terms of what I said, I’ve prayed about it, thought about it, and I was very intentional with my words.”
He shared that his speech sparked numerous discussions with his teammates, which led to “tons of conversations in the locker room.” These discussions helped the group connect and “understand each other” better.
“I truly believe if people knew me personally, they would understand that my comments were coming from a place of love and not from a place of trying to attack or put people down,” Butker explained. “I only want the best for people, and that’s what I was trying to convey. I think those present in the gymnasium understood my message.”
During his May speech, which faced condemnation from celebrities and advocacy organizations including GLAAD, Butker told the female graduates that they should aspire to be “homemakers,” wives, and mothers. He stated, “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
Butker also labeled Pride Month as one of the “deadly sins” and described abortion, IVF, and surrogacy as results of “disorders.”
Following the backlash, Butker defended his speech by attributing the scrutiny to his outspoken Catholic beliefs. “As expected, the more I talk about what I value most, which is my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I have become,” he said.
He added, “It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all. If we have truth and charity, we should trust in the Lord’s providence and let the Holy Ghost do the rest of the work.”
Butker’s steadfastness in his beliefs highlights the complex interplay between personal faith and public discourse, a dynamic that continues to generate significant conversation.
