Keynote USA—
In his first public comments following a controversial speech at a recent college graduation, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker defended his speech and emphasized his Catholic faith.
“If it wasn’t clear that many hate eternal Catholic values, it is now,” Butker said during a speech at the “Courage Under Fire” gala in Nashville on Friday night.
The Nashville speech was published on X by right-wing media outlet The Daily Wire.
This is the first time the three-time Super Bowl champion has spoken publicly about his commencement speech at Benedictine College, a small Catholic university in Kansas, on May 11. During her speech, Butker made comments interpreted by many as homophobic and sexist, including calling Pride Month a “mortal sin” and saying that a woman’s accomplishments at home are more valuable than any academic or professional goals, among others. things.
Friday night’s gala was hosted by Regina Caeli Academy, a hybrid campus and homeschool Catholic school group with several locations across the country. The gala featured several other speakers, including right-wing media personality and Daily Wire host Matt Walsh.
“Over the last few days, my beliefs, or what people think I believe, have been the center of countless discussions around the world,” said Butker, who serves on the school’s board of directors.
Regina Caeli Academy did not immediately respond to Keynote USA’s request for comment.
“At first, many people expressed a shocking level of hatred. But as the days went by, even those who disagreed with my views shared their support for my freedom of religion,” Butker said Friday.
Butker reaffirmed his commitment to his Catholic faith, saying, “Our love for Jesus and therefore our desire to speak openly must never be overcome by the longing of our fallen nature to be loved by the world.”
During his speech, Butker referred to Saint Daniel, the biblical prophet who was thrown into the lions’ den for committing to pray to God, despite a law that condemned his faithful to death.
“I can’t help but tremble when I think of the courage that many Saints have shown in their lives,” Butker said.
Daniel was saved by God because of his commitment to faith, according to the Old Testament.
“Would it be so bold if the repercussions were what Daniel faced when he was fed to the lions? Actually, any courage he has shown will lead to a little suffering for me. And that will make some people maybe never like it, but that could be God’s will,” the Chiefs kicker said.
The NFL issued a statement earlier this month, saying Butker’s comments do not reflect the views of the league.
Butker’s May 11 speech drew criticism from the LGBT advocacy organization GLAAD, which called his comments “a clear mistake” and “woefully out of step with Americans on Pride, LGBTQ people, and women.”
The sisters of the Mount St. Scholastica monastery, the founding institution and sponsor of Benedictine College, also distanced themselves from Butker’s message. “The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have invested so much,” they said. it’s a statement. . “Rather than promoting unity in our church, our nation and the world, his comments appear to have fostered division.”
Chiefs star Travis Kelce recently responded to the commencement speech., saying that he disagrees with “almost any” of Butker’s opinions, but values him as a teammate.
“I appreciate him as a teammate. I think Pat (Mahomes) said it best, he’s a great person and a great teammate,” Kelce said on the latest episode of the “New Heights” podcast she hosts with her brother Jason.
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