Harrison Butker Issues First Comments After Controversial Graduation Speech, Says He has Received 'Shocking Level of Hate'
Harrison Butker is speaking out publicly for the first time since delivering his controversial graduation speech at Benedictine College earlier this month.
In the speech, the 28-year-old Kansas City Chiefs kicker took aim at a variety of topics, including women, the LGBTQ+ community, abortion rights and more.
Since then, Harrison has remained silent while those close to him, including teammates like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, responded to his incendiary comments.
Patrick called him a “good person” while Travis said that he did not agree with “just about any” of Harrison‘s views but agreed that he was “a great person and a great teammate.”
On Friday evening (May 24), Harrison addressed his speech while attending the Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennesse.
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“The theme for tonight’s gala, ‘Courage Under Fire,’ was decided many months ago, but it now seems providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these past two weeks,” he said at the event, via Today. “If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now. Over the past few days, my beliefs or what people think I believe have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe.”
He continued, saying, “The more I’ve talked about what I value most, which is my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I have become. It’s a decision I’ve consciously made, and one I do not regret at all.”
Harrison added that he had been met with a “shocking level of hate” for speaking his mind.
During his speech, the NFL star made comments about his wife and motherhood. Find out who he is married to.