Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker denounced Democratic President Joe Biden and told LGBTQ+ graduates to stop feeling pride during his commencement address last weekend at Benedictine College.
Located in Atchison, Kansas, Benedictine College is a heavily conservative private liberal arts college that offers mass to attending students three times daily.
The 28-year-old three-time Super Bowl champion, a devout Catholic, congratulated graduating students for their achievements that led them to the momentous occasion.
However, it didn't take long for him to veer off-topic by expressing his conservative beef over topical issues.
During his 20-minute speech, Butker started by slamming Democratic President Joe Biden's pandemic policies and his part in supporting the “murder of innocent babies.”
"While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique," he told graduates.
He continued:
"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."
“I have leaned into my vocation as a husband and a father and a man."
“Men set the tone of the culture, and when that is absent, disorder, dysfunction and chaos set in.”
It's worth mentioning that Butker donned a pro-life tie while attending the Chiefs' Super Bowl LVII victory celebration last year at the White House to protest against Biden's pro-choice policies.
Butker also talked about Pride month, which helps raise visibility and awareness of marginalized LGBTQ+ community members who have struggled to find their place in society and continue facing pushback with the recent rollout of various anti-trans and homophobic legislation.
The NFL star referred to Pride as "dangerous gender ideologies," and bashed Pride. As an alternative, he suggested Catholic people should take “pride” in traditional teachings instead of homosexuality.
"Not the deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him."
During his address, Butker also advised women to know their place was pretty much in the kitchen.
He began with:
"I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and a mother."
"I’m on this stage, and able to be the man I am, because I have a wife who leans into her vocation."
“I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker."
It failed to occur to Butker that most couples can't relate to his privileged circumstances. As an NFL athlete, he earns $4 million a year, which wouldn't require his wife to leave the house to join the workforce.
He was immediately called out for his misogyny with the following comments heard in the clip below.
"I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you," he said and made an assumption about their priorities in life.
"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."
Telling women after their hard work that their main job is to be a wife and mom, ONLY. A homemaker at a graduation after years of training. Sure and he should play high school football again.— (@)
@StacieCamp43838 It\u2019s the culture of that school. \nBenedictine College is a very traditional, small Catholic university. \nHe knows his audience. \n(Though as a Catholic mother and strong advocate for all the Church\u2019s social and moral teachings I have some issues with his version of Catholicism)— (@)
For the men in the audience, Butker encouraged them to "Be unapologetic in your masculinity" and to "Fight against the cultural emasculation of men."
"Do hard things. Never settle for what is easy,” he said, adding:
“You have a talent you don’t necessarily enjoy."
"But if it glorifies God, maybe you should lean into that over something you think might suit you better.”
Many thought his statements were rich coming from a kicker, a position not typically recognized or respected as much as other positions due to their limited role in physical contact on the field.
On September 26, 2017, Butker joined the Kansas City Chiefs after being on the Carolina Panthers practice squad.
He has won three Super Bowl championships with the Chiefs, winning LIV, LVII, and LVIII.
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