The Kansas City Chiefs organization and the NFL were hit with a whirlwind of backlash after kicker Harrison Butker delivered a commencement speech that was widely viewed as controversial. Butker espoused traditional social conservative opinions — including referring to Pride Month, celebrated by the LGBTQ+ community, as “the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it.”
Butker also promoted the idea of women focusing more on raising children and taking care of their home than entering the workforce. His speech was quickly plastered all over the internet, with the NFL swiftly disavowing Butker’s opinions.
Read more: Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid React to Harrison Butker’s Controversial Speech
Responses also came from Butker’s coach and quarterback, Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, respectively. Reid and Mahomes had differing responses to the commencement speech, but ultimately stated that Butker’s opinions are his own, and not ones that they agree with.
Now, one of the NFL’s most media-friendly players — Chiefs tight end and podcaster Travis Kelce — has weighed in. It seemed only a matter of time until Kelce addressed the situation on his highly popular “New Heights Podcast.”
Begin your day with a curated outlook of top news around the world and why it matters.
By clicking on SIGN ME UP, you agree to Newsweek’s Terms of Use & Privacy Policy.
Kelce stated on the show, “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it, or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and kids.”
Kelce’s stance was similar to Mahomes, who stated, “I’ve known him for seven years. I judge him by the character he shows every day and that’s a good person.”
