During their performance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, Pearl Jam’s frontman Eddie Vedder didn’t hold back in criticizing Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker for his controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College.
Butker faced significant backlash for his speech, where he disparaged Pride Month and expressed his belief that women’s place is in the kitchen, stating that being a homemaker is one of the most important titles a woman can have.
Vedder took a break between songs to rally support for the band’s opening act, Deep See Diver, highlighting the female members and taking a jab at Butker’s outdated views on gender roles.
“The singer, Jessica, and the keyboard player, Patti, clearly didn’t buy into that ‘diabolical lie’ that women should play second fiddle to men,” Vedder quipped, referring to Butker’s ideology.
He then questioned Butker’s logic, expressing disbelief that anyone would suggest giving up on personal dreams in favor of homemaking, particularly in a public speech not meant for graduation.
Directly addressing Butker, Vedder called out the irony of a football player lecturing on masculinity while appearing, in Vedder’s words, “like such a f—ing p—-.”
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Amidst applause from the audience, Vedder asserted that true masculinity lies in supporting strong women, echoing sentiments shared by many who have condemned Butker’s remarks.
The Benedictine Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica also criticized Butker’s speech, rejecting its narrow interpretation of Catholic values and highlighting the diverse roles women play in society. Even the NFL weighed in, emphasizing their commitment to inclusion and distancing themselves from Butker’s views.
