Today’s World in the Eyes of Harrison Butker

Harrison Butker gave a shocking 2024 commencement speech at Benedictine College. The three-time Superbowl Champion and current kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs enlightened the world with his various opinions that covered the topics of gender roles, US President Joe Biden, IVF, and LGBTQ+ rights that sparked millions of reactions across the nation.

First, Butker addressed the current political state of the US, outright calling President Biden “delusional”. Harrison Butker himself is a devout Catholic, and he claimed that Biden, despite claiming to be Roman Catholic, has taken many actions that Butker believes to be incorrect. He added how Biden, along with people who continue to advocate for gender roles and LGBTQ+ rights in America, pushes the youth to adopt these perspectives of inclusivity and equality, even when they are Catholic. Butker directly asserted that “being Catholic alone doesn’t cut it”. He stated that our world today has declining morals, labeling Pride Month to be a “deadly sin”. Additionally, Butker mentioned that despite COVID-19 having played a role during students’ lives growing up, it is not unique and the outcomes of it are a result of poor leadership and bad policies. Included within these so-called “bad policies” are support of IVF, abortion, surrogacy, and other policies.

This entire speech touched on a variety of issues and ideologies that are extremely relevant in our political world today. Not only do these topics have strong significance in the United States, but they also have serious global importance. To speak on these issues in a manner such as this was bound to ignite countless reactions. 

The next topic saw Butker invalidate the ambitions of many women within the graduation class and audience by announcing that women have been told “diabolical lies” that have encouraged them to hold jobs and further themselves in their careers. He instead believes that the majority of women are “most excited about their marriage and the children they will bring to this world” and goes on to refer to his wife Isabelle Butker as an example, stating that her life “truly started” when she became a wife and mother. Many women have stated that this speech has not only insulted career women, but also stay at home mothers, including Harrison Butker’s own wife. This entire segment during his speech has a very confusing context, however, since Butker’s mother, Elizabeth Keller Butker, has worked in Emory University’s Department of Radiation Oncology since 1988 as a renowned medical physicist. It is unclear where exactly Harrison Butker developed these notions from, yet it is evident that he is unwilling to let go of them.

Harrison Butker confirmed at the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee that he stands by his commencement address, “It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all.” He announced this on May 24th 2024, almost two weeks after he gave his speech on May 11th. The Chiefs Kicker has stated that he received both support and hate and remains confident in his opinions, stating that everyone has their own beliefs. A few of Butker’s own teammates expressed some support for him, while still remaining cautious about some of the topics mentioned in the speech. Patrick Mahomes, quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, said that he judges Butker by the character he shows every day rather than everything stated in this speech, yet he goes on to mention that he disagrees with certain things that were mentioned. Despite this, Mahomes said he believes Butker is a good person.

However, it looks like there is no upcoming apology in sight. Harrison Butker has given his speech and has announced his many strong beliefs to the public. Petitions have been made that may harm Butker’s career and future work life, and the relationship between his family members, friends, and supporters who may disagree are likely to be affected in one way or another. Yet, most of these official consequences remain unknown, and as of now, Butker continues to live his life as kicker on the Kansas City Chiefs.

by NIHASHI NAG