NFL disavows Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s commencement remarks, cites commitment to inclusion

The NFL said Thursday that it disagrees with the views expressed by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a commencement address last weekend, calling itself “steadfast” in its commitment to inclusion.

The league’s statement came amid growing public criticism and debate surrounding Butker’s remarks at Benedictine College in Kansas regarding “diabolical lies told” to women and “dangerous gender ideologies.” Butker also addressed gay pride - referencing “the deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it” - and President Biden’s stance on abortion during his speech.

“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s chief diversity and inclusion officer, said in a written statement provided to The Washington Post and other media outlets. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”

Butker’s comments were denounced by the LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD.

“Traditionally, commencement speeches are meant to celebrate and inspire graduates and their families,” Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD’s president and CEO, said in a written statement. “Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker’s commencement speech was not only a clear miss, it was inaccurate, ill-informed, and woefully out of step with Americans about Pride, LGBTQ people and women.

“Those with expansive platforms, especially athletes, should use their voices to uplift and expand understanding and acceptance in the world. Instead, Butker’s remarks undermine experiences not of his own and reveal him to be one who goes against his own team’s commitment to the Kansas City community, and the NFL’s standards for respect, inclusion, and diversity across the League.”

The Chiefs did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (D) apologized Wednesday for a social-media post on the city’s account related to where Butker resides.

“A message appeared earlier this evening from a City public account,” Lucas wrote on social media. “The message was clearly inappropriate for a public account. The City has correctly apologized for the error, will review account access, and ensure nothing like it is shared in the future from public channels.”

The post on the city’s account was deleted. The city’s account later issued an apology and said that the original post “was shared in error.”

Former college football coach Lou Holtz, meantime, thanked Butker on social media “for standing strong in your faith values.”

Holtz also wrote: “Your commencement speech at Benedictine College showed courage and conviction and I admire that. Don’t give in.”

Butker, in his commencement address, urged male graduates of the Atchison, Kan., school to “be unapologetic in your masculinity, fighting against the cultural emasculation of men. Do hard things. Never settle for what is easy.”

Butker also said: “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. … 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 this 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 Los Angeles Chargers, in their video Wednesday night promoting the release of their schedule for the 2024 NFL season, created animated pictures that seemed to depict Butker preparing food and working in a kitchen.

The Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowl titles. Their Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers in February in Las Vegas capped a season in which the relationship between pop superstar Taylor Swift and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce attracted young female fans to the sport.

“I think this is just about welcoming people into the game,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week. “It’s giving people a different perspective of the game. It’s giving them an opportunity to say, ‘Wow, that’s exciting.’… People are talking about the game that weren’t talking about the game yesterday. Whatever that reason is, I’m good with it as long as they get exposure to our game. Taylor is obviously a dynamo. Everything she touches, there are people following.”

The league hosts an annual NFL Women’s Forum at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. It says there has been a 141% increase over the past four years in women in football roles leaguewide. The NFL also says it collaborates with and provides financial support to a host of grassroots organizations that serve the LGBTQ community, including GLAAD.