Current:Home > InvestNFL distances itself from controversial comments made by Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker -MarketLink
NFL distances itself from controversial comments made by Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker
View
Date:2025-04-15 03:45:43
The NFL has formally distanced itself from controversial comments Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made over the weekend during a commencement speech at Benedictine College.
"Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity," senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane said Wednesday night. "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."
Butker, 28, has played seven seasons in the NFL, all with the Chiefs. During the 20-minute speech, he expressed sexist and anti-LGBTQIA+ opinions, alluding to "dangerous gender ideologies" centered around Pride Month, the celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride.
"Not the deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it," Butker said Saturday, "but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him."
Butker also expressed his belief that women should prioritize their "vocation" as mothers, wives and homemakers.
All things Chiefs: Latest Kansas City Chiefs news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.
"I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you," Butker said during the speech. "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."
He also criticized, though not by name, President Joe Biden for his stance on abortion and criticized the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique," Butker said. "The bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for the degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder."
Benedictine College is a Catholic private liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, which is about 50 miles northwest from Kansas City, Missouri, where the Chiefs are headquartered.
Butker is a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Chiefs and holds records for the longest field goal in a Super Bowl (57 yards) and career field goals in the Super Bowl (nine).
veryGood! (84)
Related
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- What's Making Us Happy: A guide to your weekend viewing and listening
- New York City mayor wraps up Latin America trip with call for ‘right to work’ for migrants in US
- '90 Day Fiancé' Season 10: Cast, premiere date, episode schedule, how to watch
- Why Sean "Diddy" Combs Is Being Given a Laptop in Jail Amid Witness Intimidation Fears
- American mountaineer, local guide dead after avalanches hit Tibetan mountain. Two others are missing
- Families say faulty vehicle caused cargo ship fire that killed two New Jersey firefighters
- China’s flagging economy gets a temporary boost as holiday travel returns to pre-pandemic levels
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Innovators share what helped convince them to take climate action
Ranking
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Oregon seeks $27M for dam repair it says resulted in mass death of Pacific lamprey fish
- Texas vs. Oklahoma live updates: Everything you need to know about Red River Rivalry
- Former Tropical Storm Philippe’s remnants headed to waterlogged New England and Atlantic Canada
- North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
- NFT creator wins multimillion-dollar lawsuit, paving the way for other artists
- McDonald's is bringing back its Boo Buckets for Halloween
- Vermont police search for armed and dangerous suspect after woman found dead on popular trail
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Kaiser Permanente workers set to end historic strike, but another may loom
Standoff over: Colts, Jonathan Taylor agree to three-year, $42M extension
Untangling the Controversy Involving TikTokers Lunden Stallings and Olivia Bennett
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Sam Bankman-Fried stole customer funds from the beginning of FTX, exchange’s co-founder tells jury
State bill aims to incentivize safe gun storage with sales tax waiver
Former pitcher Jim Poole dies of ALS at 57. He gave up winning homer in '95 World Series