Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who recently endorsed Republican Sen. Josh Hawley for re-election, has defended his traditional beliefs about women's roles and family values after facing criticism for remarks he made in a commencement address.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has endorsed Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri for re-election, citing his "family" and "godly" values. The endorsement comes after Butker's recent remarks about women's roles in society sparked controversy.
Speaking on "The Ingraham Angle," Butker explained that he decided to endorse Hawley because he is "not afraid to speak the truth" and stands on the principles that the United States was founded on.
Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Endorses Sen. Josh Hawley for Re-election, Defends Traditional Family Values
"He's a family man, he's a godly man, and there's no other person I'd want to support to be the first candidate that I'm endorsing," Butker said.
Hawley, who is running against Democratic candidate Lucas Kunce, expressed his gratitude for Butker's endorsement and welcomed his support on the campaign trail.
Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Endorses Sen. Josh Hawley for Re-election, Defends Traditional Family Values
"This is a guy who's not afraid to speak the truth, who's not afraid to say that we have got to stand on the principles that this country was founded on," Hawley said.
Butker's endorsement has sparked discussion about his views on women's roles and family values. In a commencement address at Benedictine College earlier this year, Butker praised female graduates for their accomplishments but said they should embrace becoming "homemakers."
Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Endorses Sen. Josh Hawley for Re-election, Defends Traditional Family Values
"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," Butker said. "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 as a mother."
His remarks drew criticism from some who interpreted them as diminishing the value of women's education and careers. However, Butker defended his comments, saying that he was speaking about the beauty of women prioritizing their families.
Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Endorses Sen. Josh Hawley for Re-election, Defends Traditional Family Values
"I was trying to speak life for so many women that have dedicated their life to being the homemaker, being the one that raises the children, and it's a beautiful role, but it's not a role that should be diminished," he explained. "There's nothing shameful if you are a woman and you want to spend time with your family and raise your children, so it's not putting down anyone who maybe wants to go get a great education and have a career, but it's more talking about how beautiful it is for women to maybe just step aside and prioritize their family and spend time with their children and raise their family."
In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Butker clarified that he supports women who choose to pursue careers, but emphasized the importance of balancing work and family.
Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Endorses Sen. Josh Hawley for Re-election, Defends Traditional Family Values
"It's not putting down anyone who maybe wants to go get a great education and have a career, but it's more talking about how beautiful it is for women to maybe just step aside and prioritize
