Months after his extremely controversial graduation speech, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is talking out relating to his “very intentional” phrases.
On Wednesday, Aug. 7, Butker, 29, addressed the feedback he made at Benedictine School on Could 11, and stood agency on his sentiments, in keeping with the Associated Press.
“I really feel like, seven years within the league, having this platform, I’ve simply determined, ‘You understand what, there’s issues that I imagine wholeheartedly that I believe will make this world a greater place, and I’m going to evangelise that.’ And if folks don’t agree, they don’t agree, however I’m going to proceed to say what I imagine to be true and love everybody alongside the way in which,” Butker mentioned.
He continued, including: “I prayed about it, and I thought of it, and I used to be very intentional with what I mentioned, and I stand behind what I mentioned.”
Robin Alam/ISI Photographs/Getty
By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to remain up-to-date on one of the best of what PEOPLE has to supply, from movie star information to forcing human curiosity tales.
The NFL participant’s 20-minute handle included assaults on working girls, the LBGTQ+ group and households who make the most of surrogacy and in vitro fertilization (IVF), President Joe Biden and the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a press release, the NFL’s Chief Variety Officer Jonathan Beane mentioned, “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his private capability. His views will not be these of the NFL as a company. The NFL is steadfast in our dedication to inclusion, which solely makes our league stronger.”
Former Kansas Metropolis commissioner Justice Horn went additional, slamming Butker in a submit on X (previously often called Twitter). “Harrison Butker doesn’t symbolize Kansas Metropolis nor has he ever,” he wrote. “Kansas Metropolis has all the time been a spot that welcomes, affirms, and embraces our LGBTQ+ group members.”
Butker’s teammates additionally spoke out about his speech. On the Could 24 episode of the New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce podcast, Travis Kelce mentioned, “I cherish him as a teammate.”
Mentioning Patrick Mahomes’ feedback in regards to the speech, Kelce, 34, went on, “I believe Pat mentioned it finest the place he’s each little bit of an excellent particular person and an excellent teammate.”
“He’s handled family and friends that I’ve launched to him with nothing however respect and kindness. And that’s how he treats everybody. When it comes right down to his views and what he mentioned at [Benedictine’s] graduation speech, these are his,” the tight finish continued.
“I can’t say I agree with nearly all of it or simply about any of it exterior of simply him loving his household and his youngsters. And I don’t assume that I ought to choose him by his views, particularly his spiritual views, of the right way to go about life, that’s simply not who I’m,” he added.
Butker’s newest feedback about his speech come days after he prolonged his contract with the Chiefs, changing into the highest-paid kicker within the NFL. On Monday, Aug. 5, he agreed to a four-year, $25.6 million deal, which incorporates $17.8 million in assured cash, per a number of stories.
