A Catholic advocacy group has denounced the NFL for its "hypocritical" response to Chiefs player Harrison Butker's commencement speech, which touched on his religious views. The NFL claims to promote inclusion but has distanced itself from Butker's remarks, raising questions about its commitment to diversity and free expression.
The National Football League (NFL) has come under fire for its alleged hypocrisy regarding inclusion and diversity after attempting to distance itself from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's faith-filled commencement speech.
CatholicVote, a leading Catholic political advocacy group, has penned a scathing letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, condemning the league's reaction to Butker's speech. Within minutes of taking the stage at Benedictine University, Butker criticized President Joe Biden's pro-abortion stance and discussed his Catholic faith, touching upon controversial topics such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), diversity, equity, and inclusion.
In response, the NFL issued a statement asserting its commitment to inclusion and stating that Butker's views "are not those of the NFL as an organization." This prompted CatholicVote to question the extent of the NFL's inclusion efforts, wondering if they encompass "Catholics, pro-life Americans, mothers, and those who hold to traditional moral beliefs."
The group highlighted the growing backlash against Butker, including from the wife of LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who accused the speech of promoting "dangerous gender ideologies." "The View" co-hosts also labeled Butker's religious beliefs as "cult-like" and suggested he seek therapy.
Brian Burch, president of CatholicVote, expressed alarm at the "anti-Catholic bigotry" and threats of violence directed at Butker for expressing his deeply held convictions. "These ideals are not controversial for millions of Americans and indeed remain sacred for millions of religious believers, including millions of your fans and customers," Burch wrote to the NFL.
CatholicVote praised Butker's speech as "courageous" and an exhortation for Catholics to uphold their faith principles. The group further emphasized that "Catholics watch NFL games, too," implying that the league's disregard for their religious views may alienate a significant portion of its audience.
Despite CatholicVote's request for clarification, the NFL has not responded to the letter. The organization remains hopeful that the league will reconsider its stance and avoid sending the message that Catholics are no longer welcome or respected within the NFL community.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about the NFL's sincerity in promoting inclusion and diversity, with critics arguing that its recent actions undermine its stated values. It remains to be seen how the league will respond to the ongoing controversy and whether it will take steps to address the concerns raised by CatholicVote and other organizations.
