Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs were honoured at the White House on Monday, and kicker Harrison Butker used the occasion to send a silent political message.
The Chiefs visited the White House and were congratulated by President Joe Biden, with the occasion being marked as a double-celebration as their Super Bowl celebrations in 2020 were restricted by the global pandemic. The likes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Butker have now won two Lombardi trophies with the Chiefs after beating the Philadelphia Eagles in February.
While the invitation was to be commemorated at the US parliament building, Butker sent a subtle message as he wore a tie with the words 'Vulnerari Praesidio' stitched in. It's Latin for 'protect the vulnerable' and the tie was designed by Live Action, a pro-life organization, according to The Daily Signal.
Butker is a Catholic and due to his religious practices his stance on abortion is clear. But the kicker looked to make a major statement on Monday and also provided a statement on Wednesday about his intentions.
"I want to give the most vulnerable, the unborn, a voice at a place where every effort has been made to allow and normalise the tragic termination of their lives," Butker said in a statement to The Daily Signal. "As a father who has experienced three miscarriages, my wife and I understand the hardships that come with losing a child.
"Every life is precious and should be valued whether outside or inside the womb." Butker also said in February that he was put on the planet to become a saint, and his popularity from playing in the NFL is helping him to share a message.
"I’m not just making kicks so that I can make money and I can puff myself up as this great person that people want to be like one day," he said in February to EWTN News. "I’m making kicks because God wants me to have a platform, at least for right now, to share this message of faith, of growing in virtue, of growing closer to the sacraments and of being a saint."
Biden also praised the Chiefs for using their platform to help promote causes, although it's not known if the President was aware of Butker's message on the day. "As much as these guys know about football, they know about life and how to use their platform to make a difference," the president said in a speech celebrating the Chiefs success.
Butker has been a crucial member of the Chiefs roster since being drafted back in 2017, kicking the winning field goal against the Eagles in February and helping them win many games on the road to the Super Bowl. Butker has made 164 of 186 kicks, boasting a success rate of 88.2 percent.
