Harrison Butker has been getting drilled for his statements that surfaced earlier this week from a commencement speech at Benedictine College.
The Kansas City Chiefs kicker made statements that may be considered homophobic and misogynistic, including associating the term "pride," which is often used as an empowerment symbol for the LGBTQ+ community, as relating to the "deadly sin." Butker also advocated for his wife's role as a "homemaker" as one that other women should aspire to do with their lives.
The NFL's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, said in a statement to multiple outlets that Butker's views "are not those of the NFL as an organization."
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The hate against Butker's statements has gone so far that there is a petition on Change.org with nearly 200,000 signatures asking for the Chiefs to release Butker from its roster. There are many progressives who are comparing the alleged blackballing of former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was known for kneeling during the national anthem, as an example of the same thing happening to someone who expressed liberal ideologies.
But many have also supported the three-time Super Bowl-winning kicker's statements, including legendary coach and football analyst Lou Holtz, who said Butker's speech "showed courage."
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Much of Butker's speech clearly came from the standpoint of a conservative Christian who stands on traditional beliefs. I don't agree with his ideologies, as I believe that all people have the right to live the way they wish as long as it does not do any outward harm.
But I understand that there are those who will disagree with my beliefs as well—and that's completely fine. We all grow up with different beliefs and are brought into this world to learn differently.
However, this situation with Butker has made me realize that it's time for both sides to stop telling athletes to stop talking about topics beyond sports. It's not going to happen—and it shouldn't happen.
Players long history of stirring up backlash
Sports have created a unique platform that has allowed people to break barriers and spread ideas in a public forum. Whether it was Jesse Owens shouting out against Hitler during the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Billie Jean King winning "The Battle of The Sexes" in 1973, or LeBron James speaking out against social injustice, athletes have long used their platform to express their views.
In today's world, where the barrier to entry to post views in a public forum is so easy and where divisiveness is at an all-time high due to the medium of social media, athletes are all the more empowered to spread their views. It doesn't matter what side they are on. Telling athletes to stop speaking their minds simply because they are athletes and they don't know any better is counterintuitive and will likely only push for more.
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Should some of their thoughts be policed or called out? Of course. I do not agree with giving Aaron Rodgers a massive platform to spread misinformation that could harm people. I do not agree with giving Butker a platform to belittle women.
Maybe you have a different viewpoint from me and don't agree with the views of James or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. You, too, should have the right to express your opinions on why you think those views are wrong.
But regardless of what opinions these athletes have or what side they're on, there's a difference between not giving them a platform and simply dismissing their thoughts because of their profession. It completely dismisses their rights as people — and it's also an argument that can be used against almost anyone. Who, then, is allowed to speak on universal moral issues?
Likewise, you, the fan, can have this argument turned against you as someone who should not be allowed to speak on sports because you are not a professional athlete. But we should not gatekeep sports that way — and many of the best minds in sports have not played a single professional minute of the game.
So, while I completely disagree with Butker's beliefs, I don't think he's wrong because he's an NFL kicker. I just think he's wrong. There's a difference, and we should be able to separate that.
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