The Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker Harrison Butker faced backlash following his contentious comments made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College. In his speech, Butker criticized various social issues including Pride Month and transgender rights, and suggested women should primarily embrace homemaking as their life’s calling.

The reaction was swift and severe, with a petition on Change.org demanding his release from the Chiefs quickly gathering steam. Initiated by an individual named Willard Harris, the petition surpassed 100,000 signatures by Thursday evening, highlighting the significant public disagreement with Butker’s viewpoints.

The petition’s description sharply condemns Butker’s remarks, labeling them as sexist, homophobic, anti-transgender, anti-abortion, and racist. “The derogatory statements by Harrison Butker not only disparage LGBTQ+ individuals but also attack abortion rights and promote racial discrimination. Such comments fuel divisiveness and undermine the fundamental rights of individuals, thwarting efforts towards promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion,” the petition states.

Although the Kansas City Chiefs have yet to make a public statement regarding Butker’s controversial speech, it seems unlikely that they will sever ties with the three-time Super Bowl champion based on these events alone.

The National Football League (NFL) has made a point to distance itself from Butker’s comments. Jonathan Beane, NFL’s Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, emphasized to PEOPLE that Butker’s opinions were expressed in a personal capacity and do not reflect the views of the NFL.

“The NFL remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment, which we believe strengthens our league,” Beane asserted. This situation has spotlighted the tension between individual expressions from sports figures and the broader social responsibilities and values of sports organizations.