Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

NFL responds to Chiefs kicker's commencement speech controversy

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 5/16/24

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker created a stir over the weekend with controversial remarks during his commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

The NFL and senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane have responded in a statement, noting that Butker gave the speech in his "personal capacity" and the league doesn't share the same views.

In response to the controversy surrounding Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College, the NFL distanced itself from the ideas expressed.

The league stated it doesn’t share the beliefs Butker voiced.

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— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 16, 2024

According to a report by Tess DeMeyer of The Athletic, the three-time Super Bowl champion spoke for "more than 20 minutes to students at the Catholic school," saying he "wanted them to prevent political leaders from interfering with social issues that impact their relationship with the church."

During his address to the graduating students, the 28-year-old Butker referred to Pride Month as an example of the “deadly sins” as he advocated for a more conservative brand of Catholicism, per DeMeyer's report.

"Not the deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it," Butker said, "but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him."

The Georgia Tech product also discussed "gender ideologies" according to DeMeyer's report, calling a woman's most important title "homemaker."

According to the report, the Chiefs declined to comment on the matter.

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