Kansas City Chiefs star Harrison Butker provoked an online fire storm when he spoke at Benedictine College, a Catholic school, and argued that his family was dramatically improved by his wife’s brave decision to be a homemaker and raise their children while he focused on his career. He also spoke about abortion in the speech. Both of those things, among others, provoked an online firestorm and lots of backlash. However, Butker refused to back down.
Refusing to back down from those positions at the gala speech, Butcker said, Fox News Digital reports, “The theme for tonight’s gala, Courage Under Fire, was decided many months ago, but it now feels providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these last two weeks. If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now.”
He continued, “Our love for Jesus, and thus, our desire to speak out, should never be outweighed by the longing of our fallen nature to be loved by the world. Glorifying God and not ourselves should always remain our motivation despite any pushback, or even support. I lean on those closest to me for guidance, but I can never forget that it is not people, but Jesus Christ who I’m trying to please.”
He added, speaking about how the sacrifices of the saints inspire him, “If I constantly remind myself of the hardships the saints went through, especially the martyrs in their persecution, it makes it all seem not so bad. For if Heaven is our goal, we should embrace our cross, however large or small it may be, and live our life with joy to be a bold witness to Christ.”
Further, Butker said, “My hope is tonight’s theme and RCA’s mission will embolden others that many more will be unapologetic of their Catholic faith and never be afraid to speak out for truth, even when it goes against the loudest voices. In the end, being courageous starts with the small things. Being disliked and mischaracterized by some is nothing compared to finding yourself in a lion’s den.”
He also spoke about how his comments about his Catholic faith were treated as “polarizing” by the public, saying, “As to be expected, the more I’ve talked about what I value most, which is my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I have become.” But he said he wouldn’t regret anything and will instead stand by God and the Holy Ghost, saying, “It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all. If we have truth and charity, we should trust in the Lord’s providence and let the Holy Ghost do the rest of the work.”
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Numerous voices on the left were outraged about Butker’s speech. For example, GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said, speaking to Page Six, “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.” Ellis added, “Those with expansive platforms, especially athletes, should use their voices to uplift and expand understanding and acceptance in the world.”