The NFL has distanced itself from Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Butker’s controversial speech, which sparked backlash after he suggested that female graduates were the most eager to become wives and mothers.
During a commencement address to graduates of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansashe Super BowlThe winning kicker lashed out at abortion, called Pride month a “mortal sin” and attacked lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Her comments about women in the workplace went viral after she said they were told “the most diabolical lies” and suggested one of her most important roles in life would be that of “housewife.”
“Some of you may go on to have successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that most of you are more excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world,” he said.
“I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly began when she began to live her calling as a wife and mother.”
The 28-year-old said his wife adopted “one of the most important titles of all: Housewife.”
In a sentence, the nfl Senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane said the Chiefs kicker was speaking “in a personal capacity.”
He told People magazine: “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only strengthens our league.”
During last week’s 20-minute speech, Butker, who has made his conservative Catholic beliefs known, also referenced lyrics by Taylor Swift – who is dating his teammate Travis Kelce – and said that “familiarity breeds contempt” when discussing how Catholic priests should not become “too familiar” with their parishioners.
When speaking of faith, he said he had pride, before adding: “Not the deadly sins kind of pride that an entire month is dedicated to, but true God-centered pride that cooperates with the Holy Spirit to glorify Him.”
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The kicker then attacked the president of the United States. Joe Biden “delusional” position on abortionsaying, “You’ve been so vocal in your support for the murder of innocent babies that I’m sure it seems to many people that you can be Catholic and pro-choice.”
A Change.org petition calling on bosses to sack Butker over “discriminatory comments” has attracted more than 170,000 signatures online.
But his speech was also praised by former NFL wide receiver TJ Moe, who said on social media: “No word Harrison Butker says here should be remotely controversial. He’s 100% right.
“Those who try to convince women that being an assistant vice president of loans and intentionally not having children at age 40 is more satisfying than starting a family and a home are evil.”
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