Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has been rightfully raked over the coals for his speech to Benedictine College in Kansas, a commencement address filled with hate, bigotry and misogyny.
And as of publishing this on Wednesday, there’s been no word from the Chiefs. None.
Butker had this to say to the women present at the ceremony: “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you’re going to get in your career. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
Jesus Christ… pic.twitter.com/bY9bE2XwUm
— Christian Nightmares (@ChristnNitemare) May 14, 2024
He had this to say about Pride Month: “Not the deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it, but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him.”
He told men to “be unapologetic in your masculinity” and to “fight against the cultural emasculation of men.” What year is it — what century, for that matter — that these things are being said out loud?
Butker is using religion as a cover to admonish women for having a lick of ambition. It’s his way of saying “get back to the kitchen where you belong,” which has no place in our world in 2024. It’s a technique we’ve seen used by the greasiest politicians to certain corners of the internet that are fueled by this stuff.
The thing I keep coming back to is the Chiefs’ silence at the moment, and that includes Butker’s teammates. Just months ago, this was the franchise that suddenly felt all-inclusive, the place for women, men and everyone to Swag Surf together thanks in part to Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift dating. You see Chiefs jerseys everywhere now, from The Eras Tour to on the streets of cities that aren’t Kansas City, many on young women.
It’s fairly simple: the franchise needs to come out and say: we don’t agree, and this is wrong. It’s not that hard. There were no subtilty or gray areas with what Butker said.
Because fans new and old very much noticed — just check out all the comments on this recent Instagram post:
“Am I still allowed to watch football or should I be scrubbing a toilet?”
“Am I allowed to come to a KC game with my dad or should I be feeding my 20 kids at home?”
“Hi 1950 called and they want Butker back. It’s 2024 and women are football fans who DESERVE BETTER.”
Exactly. Don’t let this blow over when the next scandal or ugly comments come along. Call out your kicker and prove silence doesn’t mean you support his comments.
Because it’s a really, really, REALLY bad look to turn your back on the women you gladly welcomed in with open arms.
