Harrison Butker, the kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, recently found himself at the center of controversy following a commencement speech that sparked backlash. His remarks at Benedictine College in Kansas touched on several contentious topics, including abortion, the LGBTQ+ community, and COVID-19, and included controversial views on women’s roles as homemakers and mothers. Butker even referenced a Taylor Swift song lyric to emphasize his points, which further fueled the discussion.
In response to the speech, the official Kansas City X (formerly Twitter) account, which is verified as a government entity, briefly joined in on the criticism by pointing out that Butker doesn’t actually live in Kansas City but in Lee’s Summit, a nearby suburb. The post implied a distinction between Butker’s place of residence and his identification with Kansas City, almost suggesting, “he’s not one of us.” This remark, whether intended as a joke or not, was later deleted, and the account issued an apology stating the tweet was “shared in error.”
The fallout from Butker’s speech wasn’t limited to just social media reactions. The NFL’s Chief Diversity Officer, Jonathan Beane, addressed the incident, emphasizing that Butker’s views were expressed in a personal capacity and do not reflect those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL reiterated its commitment to inclusion, which they regard as a strength of the league.
The controversy surrounding Butker’s comments has not only sparked discussions on social media but also led other organizations like the Los Angeles Chargers to throw shade. They incorporated a Sims-themed dig at Butker in their schedule release, further highlighting the widespread attention and criticism the speech has attracted.
As the debate continues, Butker has yet to respond to the criticism publicly. The situation underscores the delicate balance public figures must maintain when expressing personal views and the broader implications their statements can have in the public sphere.
