Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid responding to kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech got a little awkward on Wednesday.
After he was asked what happens if women who work within the Chiefs organization express concern to him about Butker’s sexist comments about women in the workforce, Reid responded that this scenario hasn’t happened and expressed his opinion that Butker’s speech didn’t speak ill to women.
Reid then expressed that having differing opinions that some people don’t like in the building also extends to reporters who work around the team.
“He has opinions, and we all respect that,” Reid said. “I let you guys in this room, and you have a lot of opinions that I don’t like.”
Andy Reid was asked what he would say to women who work for the #Chiefs if they have concerns about Harrison Butker's comments:
"I don't think he was speaking ill to women. … I let you guys in this room, & you have a lot of opinions that I don't like." pic.twitter.com/Tzlcw8VW1e https://t.co/3zzWnmf1xs
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 22, 2024
Reid also expressed his belief that everyone within the franchise has a right to express their beliefs, even if the team doesn’t ultimately go by them.
#Chiefs HC Andy Reid on the comments made by Harrison Butker: "We all respect each other's opinions. Not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everybody to have a voice. It's the great thing about America, man."pic.twitter.com/QkvlbluspX https://t.co/3zzWnmf1xs
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 22, 2024
Between this and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ comments from earlier in the day, it’s becoming clear that the message in Kansas City is Butker has a right to speak his mind, even if his words are disagreeable and potentially offensive to the women within the Chiefs organization.