The Kansas City Chiefs have had quite the eventful offseason, and not in the way one would have expected from the defending back-to-back Super Bowl Champions. Wide receiver Rashee Rice is facing a long suspension after several legal issues this offseason have resulted in felony charges being filed against him. Defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs was released following his own arrest for domestic violence.
And, of course, kicker Harrison Butker was the talk of the sports world for weeks following his commencement speech at Benedictine College. His comments about religion, the LGBTQ+ community, Jews, and the role of women in society stirred many conversations on social media and various productions.
While his teammates and coaches stood by his side (while vocalizing their disagreement with his views), the rest of the sports world has not forgotten the offensive things that he said.
Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Has a Controversial View on Women in Society
During his speech at the conservative Catholic college, Butker said the following regarding women:
“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.”
The weeks the followed the speech saw many celebrities condemn Butker’s comments regarding women. Kylie Kelce, the wife of future Pro Football Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce, gave a commencement speech of her own in which she empowered women, for example.
The public outcry over his comments have died down over the past few weeks, but tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams made reference to them when they dragged Butker at the ESPY’s on Thursday night.
Venus Williams and Serena Williams Slam Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker
Tennis star Venus and Serena Williams introduced a segment of ESPY’s on Thursday night in which they encouraged those in attendance to enjoy women’s sports like they would men’s sports. Except if the person watching said sports was Harrison Butker:
Serena and Venus Williams took a shot at #Chiefs K Harrison Butker during tonight’s ESPY Awards:pic.twitter.com/7jhacDECV7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 12, 2024
“So go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports,” Venus Williams said.
Serena Williams added, “Except you Harrison Butker. We don’t need you.”
Obviously, the dig was taken at Butker because if the two sisters had lived by his standard for women, they would not be two of the greatest tennis players of all time.
Judging by his own comments at a function for the homeschool hybrid academy where he serves on the board of directors, the Williams sisters’ comments will not bother Butker. He views himself as a martyr for the blowback his comments have received.
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