In the aftermath of his contentious graduation speech at a private college in Kansas, a Change.org petition advocating for the release of Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker from both the team and the NFL has gained widespread attention.
Butker, known for his outspoken Catholic beliefs and status as a married father-of-two, sparked controversy during his address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
He congratulated female graduates, suggesting that many were likely more focused on marriage, motherhood, and domestic life than on pursuing careers.
Additionally, Butker criticized Pride month, a significant period for the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and voiced opposition to President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion.
Now, the 28-year-old, three-time Super Bowl champion faces backlash for his remarks, with over 70,000 signatures collected on a petition calling for his departure from the Chiefs after seven seasons with the team.
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The momentum behind the petition skyrocketed on Wednesday evening, soaring from 30,000 to over double that figure within hours. A remarkable surge of over 25,000 signatures occurred on Wednesday alone, far surpassing the petition’s initial target of 50,000 signatures.
The description of the petition reads as follows:
“The harmful remarks made by Harrison Butker, kicker of the Kansas City Chiefs, during his commencement address at Benedictine College were unacceptable. His comments were sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion and racist. These dehumanizing remarks against LGBTQ+ individuals, attacks on abortion rights and racial discrimination perpetuate division and undermine human rights.
These comments reinforce harmful stereotypes that threaten social progress. They create a toxic environment that hinders our collective efforts towards equality, diversity and inclusion in society. It is unacceptable for such a public figure to use their platform to foster harm rather than unity.
It’s important to note that these types of discriminatory attitudes contribute significantly towards societal issues such as hate crimes which have been on the rise in recent years (source: FBI Hate Crime Statistics). Furthermore, they can lead to increased mental health issues among targeted communities (source: American Psychological Association).
We demand accountability from our sports figures who should be role models promoting respect for all people regardless of their race, gender identity or sexual orientation. We call upon the Kansas City Chiefs management to dismiss Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate conduct.
Please sign this petition if you stand with us against discrimination and believe in fostering an inclusive society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”
Despite being a seventh-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2017, Harrison Butker has established himself as one of the NFL’s premier kickers.
Notably, he set a new franchise record for the Chiefs with a remarkable 62-yard field goal in 2022.
Butker’s contributions were pivotal in securing the Chiefs’ first Super Bowl victory in half a century in 2020.
He further solidified his legacy by aiding in their acquisition of a second Lombardi Trophy in 2023.
Most memorably, Butker’s field goal in February’s Super Bowl propelled the Chiefs to victory over San Francisco, forcing the game into overtime.
