NFL releases statement on controversial Harrison Butker commencement speech

In a statement to CBS News, the NFL has distanced itself from remarks made by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address at Benedictine College. The league also made clear Butker was speaking in a personal capacity, and not representative of the league, when he addressed the graduates.

Butker received notable public pushback for comments expressing a belief that the main role in society for women is as homemakers and condemning the LGBTQ+ community and “dangerous gender ideologies,” among other comments that took aim at abortion, President Joe Biden’s handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, and various other hot-button topics.

While the NFL didn’t touch on any specific issues raised by Butker in his speech, the league made it clear that it does not share the same outlook.

“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” said Jonathan Beane, the chief diversity and inclusion officer at the NFL. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”

While Butker’s roster spot with the Kansas City Chiefs is not likely to be affected by his choice of remarks at a commencement address, some folks angered by his comments have begun a petition — which is close to 100,000 signatures — for the Chiefs to release him.

A division rival was not so diplomatic in addressing Butker’s speech

As usual, the Los Angeles Chargers went all out for their schedule release video. This year’s theme focused on the Sims franchise.

From mentioning a Kansas City Chiefs super fan’s conviction to literally clowning the Las Vegas Raiders — the Chargers’ media team pulled no punches this year.

That wasn’t all that the Chargers had for their AFC West rivals, however. Of course, they had to get in on the Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce bandwagon — but their biggest hit didn’t come until the end credits were rolling.

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker recently spoke at the commencement ceremony of a Catholic liberal arts school and, during his speech, said that the women graduating were “probably more excited about getting married and having children,” according to a report by the Associated Press.

The Chargers’ video showcases Butker in a kitchen making food and in the yard tending to the garden — two controversial stereotypes regarding gender equality. Check out the video for yourself around the 2:55 mark:

should we REALLY make our schedule release video in the sims?

yes          yes          yesyes
yesyes    yes      yes         yes
yes  yes  yes     yes           yes
yes    yesyes     yes           yes
yes      yesye      yes        yes
yes          yes           yesyes pic.twitter.com/MXzfAPyhe8

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 16, 2024

Butker would say that Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.” He also gave his own opinion on the concept of Pride Month, and President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion.