Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker, stepped into the spotlight on Friday night to address the controversy surrounding his recent commencement speech at a Catholic university. The speech, which went viral, triggered a significant backlash from leftist critics, but Butker remains resolute in his stance, emphasizing that the "shocking level of hate" he has faced will not sway him from being "unapologetic" about his faith.
"If it wasn't clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now," Butker declared at the Courage Under Fire gala in Nashville, an event supporting a Catholic charity. He noted that his beliefs, or rather, the perception of his beliefs, have become a global topic of discussion over the past few days.
Reflecting on his NFL career, Butker shared that he is no stranger to both positive and negative feedback, typically centered on his performance on the field. However, his outspoken stance on his Catholic faith has brought a different kind of attention. "The more I've talked about what I value most, my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I've become," he said. "It's a decision I've consciously made, and one I do not regret at all."
The three-time Super Bowl champion faced severe criticism after his speech at Benedictine College, where he challenged President Joe Biden's support for abortion and condemned the promotion of "dangerous gender ideologies" to America's youth. Additionally, he praised stay-at-home mothers, attributing his success to his wife, who embraced the role of homemaker after converting to the faith.
BREAKING: In first public remarks since his commencement speech sparked a liberal meltdown, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker makes very clear he’s not backing down from his faith. @buttkicker7 pic.twitter.com/q3Vh0KpvTg
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) May 25, 2024
The backlash was swift, with a Change.org petition calling for his dismissal from the Chiefs, labeling his remarks as "sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion, and racist." Despite this, Butker received overwhelming support from his teammates and the public. His head coach Andy Reid, along with star teammates Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones, have publicly backed him. Moreover, Butker's jersey sales surged, especially among women, contrary to the media's portrayal of widespread female outrage.
During his Friday night address, Butker acknowledged the support he received, even from those who disagreed with his views but respected his freedom of religion. The Courage Under Fire gala, themed long before the controversy, seemed aptly named given recent events. Hosted by Regina Caeli Academy, a classical homeschool hybrid academy for Catholic families, the event also featured Daily Wire hosts Matt Walsh and Michael Knowles.
Butker, who serves on the board of Regina Caeli Academy, expressed hope that his response to public criticism would inspire others to stand firm in their faith. "For if heaven is our goal, we should embrace our cross, however large or small it may be, and live our life with joy, to be a bold witness for Christ," he urged. He concluded by encouraging others to be unapologetic about their Catholic faith and to speak out for truth, even against the loudest opposition.
In the face of adversity, Harrison Butker's unwavering stance serves as a rallying cry for those who share his faith, demonstrating that courage under fire can lead to a stronger, more vocal community.