Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker is facing backlash after delivering a controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. During the speech on May 11, 2024, the NFL kicker made remarks that sparked outrage among the audience.
Butker, 28, addressed the women graduates, stating, “How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? 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.”
The kicker also made comments comparing the LGBTQIA+ community’s Pride Month to “deadly sins” and suggesting that men set the tone of society. These remarks have drawn criticism from Hollywood stars and the public.
Butker, who is married to Isabelle Butker and shares a son and daughter with her, met his wife in middle school band class. While Isabelle studied at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, Butker pursued a football career at Georgia Tech, where he became the school’s all-time leading scorer.
Despite being teammates with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Butker and Mahomes do not appear to have a close relationship. Mahomes revealed on the Pat McAfee Show that he does not communicate with Butker regularly.
Additionally, Butker expressed his support for teammate Jason Kelce and singer Taylor Swift’s rumored relationship, hoping they will get married and start a family. He also praised Swift for being humble and gracious.
Butker’s mother, Elizabeth Butker, is a medical physicist at Emory University’s Department of Radiation Oncology, specializing in brachytherapy and Gamma Knife medical physics care. The controversy surrounding Butker’s speech has sparked discussions about his views and actions off the football field.