Major Petition Targets Harrison Butker for Graduation Speech, Dividing Public Opinion
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s recent commencement speech at Benedictine College has sparked significant controversy, with reactions ranging from fierce criticism to strong support, flooding social media.
A petition calling for the Super Bowl champion’s removal from the team is nearing its goal of 200,000 signatures. Meanwhile, many supporters are praising Butker, hailing him as a hero for his message.
First, let’s delve into the widespread campaign to have Butker removed from the Chiefs.
“The harmful remarks made by Harrison Butker were unacceptable,” states the Change.org petition. “His comments were sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion, and racist.”
The petition continues, “These dehumanizing remarks against LGBTQ+ individuals, attacks on abortion rights, and racial discrimination perpetuate division and undermine human rights.”
With over 176,000 signatures so far, the petition claims Butker’s comments reinforce “harmful stereotypes that threaten social progress” and create a “toxic environment that hinders our collective efforts toward equality, diversity, and inclusion in society.”
As reported by CBN News, Butker’s commencement address on Saturday has become the center of controversy.
Butker criticized President Joe Biden for supporting what he called the “murder” of the unborn and condemned “dangerous gender ideologies,” among other issues. He highlighted a perceived discrepancy between Biden’s professed Catholic faith and his pro-choice stance.
“Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues,” Butker said. “Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.”
Watch the full speech here.
Butker also claimed that President Biden’s actions conflicted with Catholic teachings.
“Our nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally,” Butker said, referencing a recent rally where Biden did exactly that.
He continued, “He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that it appears to many people that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.”
Butker’s remarks directed at female graduates also stirred controversy.
“To the ladies present today: congratulations on an amazing accomplishment,” Butker said. “You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives.”
He added:
“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. 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 a mother. I am on this stage today because I have a wife who leans into her vocation.”
These statements, among others, have sparked both support and criticism, with the Change.org petition receiving the most attention.
The petition argues that comments like Butker’s contribute to hate crimes and increased mental health issues among “targeted communities.” It calls for “accountability” from role models like Butker.
“We call upon the Kansas City Chiefs management to dismiss Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate conduct,” the petition reads, urging people to stand against “discrimination.”
The controversy over Butker’s speech reached such a height that the National Football League (NFL) issued a statement distancing itself from his views.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” said Jonathan Beane, NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”
Beane added, “The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”
Despite the backlash and the petition, others, like legendary coach Lou Holtz, have defended and praised Butker.
“Thank you … for standing strong in your faith values,” Holtz wrote to Butker. “Your commencement speech at Benedictine College showed courage and conviction, and I admire that. Don’t give in.”
Holtz also shared a link to a website where fans can express appreciation for Butker’s perspective.
“With courage and clarity, Butker championed the timeless virtues of family, faith, and the sanctity of life,” the proclamation reads. “His bold proclamation of a pro-family, pro-God, and pro-life worldview resonated deeply, reminding us of the enduring strength found in our foundational beliefs.”
See that statement here.
Here are some of the other responses from those who agreed with Butker’s comments:
Gracie Hunt, daughter of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt, defended Butker in a Fox News interview, saying she respects him for “his Christian faith and what he’s accomplished on and off the field.”
“I can only speak from my own experience, which is I had the most incredible mom who had the ability to stay home and be with us as kids growing up,” Hunt said. “And I understand that many women can’t make that decision, but for me, it was formative in shaping me and my siblings into who we are.”
We’ll need to stand with our brother in Christ and stand for righteousness.
Pastor Todd Coconato says, “This is a battle between light and darkness. What Butker said was absolutely true and there should be no issue in a nation that claims to have 60% of its population claim to be Christian. The cultural war that we are in is a spiritual battle and it’s time that we as the Body of Christ take a righteous stand for truth and biblical morality. I stand with Mr. Butker and highly condemn any organization that would even suggest for one second removing him from his position. He is a man of integrity and spoke as a free citizen based on his personal faith and beliefs. The Christian community must stand with this man and push back against the wickedness in this hour. I pray that every pastor shows solidarity this Sunday and speaks to the freedom of speech and religion that we enjoy as Americans. If we don’t, we will lose these rights. Now is the time to stand”.
