NFL

Chiefs’ Butker Has No Regrets About Expressing Beliefs During Commencement Speech

May 26, 2024, 10:18 AM

Harrison-Butker-Kansas-City-Chiefs-NFL...

Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium on February 05, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

APKansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has no regrets about expressing his beliefs in a recent commencement speech and he said he has received support as well as “a shocking level of hate” from others.

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has no regrets about expressing beliefs

Butker spoke Friday night at the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee.

He made his first public comments since his controversial recent commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he said most women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having kids; argued some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America;” referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month; and took aim at President Joe Biden’s policies, including his condemnation of the Supreme Court’s reversal of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

“It is now, over the past few days, my beliefs or what people think I believe have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe,” Butker said Friday. “At the outset, many people expressed a shocking level of hate. But as the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion.”

Butker said he understands being criticized for his performance on the field. The 28-year-old said he values his religion more than football.

“It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all,” he said.

The NFL has distanced itself from Butker’s comments. The league said the comments and “views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the three-time Super Bowl winner is entitled to his beliefs, even though he doesn’t always agree with him.

Speaking about Butker on his “New Heights” podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he cherishes Butker as a teammate.

“When it comes down to his views and what he said at (the) commencement speech, those are his,” Kelce said. “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids. And I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life, that’s just not who I am.”

Kelce does the podcast with his brother Jason, who recently retired after an outstanding career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

NFL

Locals In The NFL Buffalo Bills CB Taron Johnson...

Chandler Holt

Bills CB Taron Johnson Seals Win With Late Interception Against Jets

Former Weber State DB Taron Johnson secured a win for the Bills by picking off Aaron Rodgers late in the fourth quarter.

15 hours ago

NFL Crowd Utah...

Chandler Holt

This NFL Player Thinks Utah Deserves A Professional Football Team

With the recent success of the Utah Hockey Club, an NFL player spoke out about Salt Lake's ability to support a pro football team.

16 hours ago

Locals In The NFL Top Performances Atlanta Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier...

Chandler Holt

#LocalsInTheNFL Week Six Recap: Top Performances And Weekly Roundup

Check out our Locals In The NFL weekly roundup for top performances, all stats, and locals who picked up a week six win.

2 days ago

Locals In The NFL Atlanta Falcons CB Clark Phillips III...

Chandler Holt

Falcons CB Clark Phillips III Ices Win With First Career Interception Against Panthers

Former Utah CB Clark Phillips III pulled down his first career interception at a perfect time to secure the win for the Falcons.

2 days ago

Locals In The NFL Atlanta Falcons Tyler Allgeier...

Chandler Holt

Falcons RB Tyler Allgeier Powers In First Touchdown Of Season Against Panthers

Former BYU RB Tyler Allgeier had his best game of the year in week six and ran in his first touchdown against the Panthers.

2 days ago

Locals In The NFL Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love...

Chandler Holt

Packers QB Jordan Love Throws Four Touchdowns In Win Over Cardinals

Former Utah State QB Jordan Love put together debatably his best game of the year as the Packers stomped the Cardinals in week six.

2 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 9

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. It honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron.

game night live...

How To Watch Game Night Live: West Panthers @ Brighton Bengals

The Game Night Live Game of the Week pits a pair of 5A Region 6 powers against each other with playoff seeding on the line. The West High Panthers (5-4, 5-0) travel to Salt Lake's east bench on Wednesday, October 16, to take on the Brighton Bengals (8-1, 4-1).

mountain ridge @ riverton...

Mountain Ridge Defense Controls Riverton In Region 2 Battle

The Mountain Ridge Sentinels controlled the action all night in a 24-11 road win over the Riverton Silverwolves.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 8

The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in all of Northern Utah, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 8

The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County, honoring their exceptional performances on the gridiron.

Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 8

The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. It honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron.

Chiefs’ Butker Has No Regrets About Expressing Beliefs During Commencement Speech