Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is one of the best players at his position in today’s NFL. A three-time Super Bowl Champion, he has accomplished more than most kickers have in their careers and is currently the highest paid specialist in the NFL. However, Butker does not seem to be as well-known for his accomplishments on the field as he is for statements that he made off of it.
As fans may recall, the Chiefs kicker went viral back in may for controversial remarks he made about women (and other marginalized groups of people) in a commencement speech that he gave at Benedictine College. These comments have generated months of pushback from these groups of people, but Butker has remained firm in his faith and his conviction in what he said.
Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Made Controversial Remarks About the Role of Women in Society
During his speech at Benedictine College, Butker addressed the women who were graduating with the following message:
“For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.
“How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? 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.”
These comments, which drew the ire of fans, media members, and celebrities, were (and still are) viewed as derogatory towards women because he implies that being a wife and mother is the most important thing a woman can do in their lives. And while there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a wife and mother, putting that role on a pedestal above all others is both demeaning and disrespectful.
Butker, however, calls this view of his a “traditional” value, and he just started a new political movement to help bring it to the forefront of American thought.
Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Set Up a PAC to Promote Traditional Values
Last week, Butker unsurprisingly endorsed Donald Trump for President of the United States, saying that he is the most pro-life candidate on the ballot.
During his interview on Fox News, Butker also announced that he has formed a new political action committee (PAC), one that will promote traditional Christian values. The purpose of the PAC, according to its website, is:
“We’re seeing our values under attack every day. In our schools, in the media, and even from our own government. But we have a chance to fight back and reclaim the traditional values that have made this country great. That’s why UPRIGHT PAC was founded.”
As one might have expected, fans are not too thrilled about this development:
Keep that same energy when Black athletes use their voices to speak on politics https://t.co/6aDDrcRLAw
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 16, 2024
Not “traditional” @KansasCityStar, REGRESSIVE. https://t.co/iziRwYV5QC
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) October 16, 2024
I guess the whole “shut up and play” thing doesn’t apply to white christian nationalists… https://t.co/0ul7xz0EPW
— Rep. Ashley Aune (@Ashley4MO) October 14, 2024
Butker is clearly a white supremacist. https://t.co/DjPRsWOkhh
— Matt Murphy (@MattMurph24) October 16, 2024
As one can see, there are concerns about Butker’s character and his motivations for starting this PAC. Of course, he does have every right to live his life the way he wants and to spend his money on what he sees fit.
But so does everyone else.
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