Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's faith-based commencement speech at a private Catholic college has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with members of the media condemning his remarks on women, the LGBTQ community, and President Biden. However, the backlash has also led to a surge in jersey sales for the popular NFL star.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's commencement address at Benedictine College has become a lightning rod for controversy, sparking fierce debate about the role of faith in public discourse and the importance of inclusivity. Butker's speech, delivered at the private Catholic liberal arts school in Kansas, has drawn widespread condemnation from media outlets and social media users who have taken issue with his views on women, the LGBTQ community, and President Biden.
HuffPost opinion editor Stephen A. Crockett questioned Butker's logic and motivations in an article titled "What Was Harrison Butker Thinking?" Crockett accused Butker of making "headline-generating" remarks driven by fear and a belief that white men are under threat. Crockett argued that Butker's speech was a thinly veiled attack on diversity and inclusivity.
Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins mocked Butker's speech, dismissing him as a "kicker" not worthy of a significant response. However, Jenkins expressed concern over Butker's "scaremonger, doomwatcher language" and objected to his use of "inflated words." She singled out Butker's comments on President Biden, Pride Month, and diversity as examples of his "lazy" and "divisive" rhetoric.
"Today with Hoda & Jenna" co-hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager expressed outrage over Butker's comments on women, particularly his call for female graduates to embrace their "homemaker" role. Kotb declared that Butker should not "speak for women" and questioned why a male football player was presuming to define women's roles.
On ABC News' "The View," panelists took turns criticizing Butker, though co-host Whoopi Goldberg defended his right to express his beliefs. Goldberg emphasized the importance of respecting diverse viewpoints, even if one disagrees with them. However, Joy Behar quipped that Butker had "mother issues" and should "get a therapist."
Sara Haines agreed that Butker had the right to speak out but argued that his views stemmed from an "extremist" and "cult-like" version of Catholicism. Haines suggested that Butker's rhetoric was oppressive and harmful to marginalized groups.
Alyssa Farah Griffin mocked Butker's comments about his wife being a homemaker, pointing out the privilege of being able to afford such a lifestyle. Sunny Hostin objected to Butker's condemnation of LGBTQ behavior, citing the recent efforts by Pope Francis to welcome and support LGBTQ Catholics.
NFL Network host Rich Eisen called Butker's remarks "outrageous" and said that his wife is a successful professional despite being a devoted mother. Former NFL sideline reporter Lisa Guerrero urged the NFL to address Butker's speech, suggesting that it could alienate potential female fans and other marginalized groups.
Despite the backlash, Butker's jersey sales have skyrocketed since his controversial commencement address. As of Friday, Butker's jersey was the "most popular" among Chiefs players, even surpassing those of superstars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. The uptick in popularity suggests that Butker's conservative views resonate with a significant portion of the football-loving public.
The controversy surrounding Butker's speech highlights the ongoing tension between personal faith and public discourse. While individuals have the right to hold and express their religious beliefs, there is also a growing demand for inclusivity and respect for marginalized groups. The public response to Butker's speech demonstrates the need for a thoughtful and respectful dialogue that balances the freedom of expression with the imperative of creating a welcoming and equitable society for all.
