The Kansas City Chiefs must be hoping that the start of organized team activities (OTA’s) are going to bring a sense of structure and normalcy to their offseason. After winning the Super Bowl for the second consecutive season, their offseason has been marred by the unfortunate headlines caused by the actions and a couple of their players.
Wide receiver Rashee Rice, who had 79 receptions for 938 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie, is facing several felony charges following a high-speed accident in which he was allegedly driving 119 miles per hour. To make matters worse, Rice also reportedly left the scene of the accident before authorities arrived.
Rice was also allegedly involved in a physical confrontation at a Dallas night club that may have resulted in further legal issues, but the person who originally filed charges against him had them dropped.
More recently, though, the comments that kicker Harrison Butker made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College have made him, and the Chiefs by association, quite the hot topic around the country.
What Did Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Say that Sparked So Much Controversy?
During his commencement speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic school, Butker issued statements that have been deemed homophobic, anti-Semitic, and misogynistic. Of the many things he said that have been sparked controversy on social media and on various television productions, it was the following comment about women that is getting the most attention:
“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.
“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I’m on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation.
“I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.”
Of the multiple people who have spoken out against Butker’s comments, perhaps the statement released by the nuns who founded and support Benedictine College in which they express their firm disagreement regarding his assertions about women and their place in society is the most glaring.
Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid Addresses the Harrison Butker Controversy
On Wednesday (May 22), head coach Andy Reid addressed the media for the first time in OTA’s, which also happens to be the first time since Butker’s comments. Of course, he was asked about what Butker said and how he was going to approach the situation.
Reid had a rather terse response:
“Everybody is from different areas, different religions, different races, and so we all get along, we all respect each other’s opinions.”
“It’s a great thing about America, man. And we’re just, like I said, a microcosm of that and my wish is that everybody could kind of follow that.”
“I don’t think he was speaking ill to women, but he has his opinions and we all respect that. I let you guys in this room and you have a lot of opinions that I don’t like.”
While what Reid said was true about everyone being entitled to their own opinions, and the importance of being able to coexist with people who share different beliefs, it is an interesting decision to state that Butker was not speaking ill to women when thousands upon thousands of women have said that what Butker claimed in his speech was offensive to them.
Telling someone who is offended by a statement that the statement was not offensive is no way to fix the situation.
Perhaps, instead of telling everyone to respect Butker’s opinions, he should have the same conversation with his kicker.
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1 Comment
Good reporting about the topic and particular people’s reaction. Thank you
You had one paragraph added, the last one, that is not related to giving a report of what this topic was, but what you wanted done (or imposed).