Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has no regrets about expressing his beliefs in a recent commencement speech and he said he has received support as well as 鈥渁 shocking level of hate鈥 from others.
Butker spoke Friday night at the Regina Caeli Academy Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee.
He made his first public comments since his controversial recent commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he said most women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having kids; argued some Catholic leaders were 鈥減ushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America;鈥 referred to a 鈥渄eadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it鈥 in an oblique reference to Pride month; and took aim at President Joe Biden鈥檚 policies, including his condemnation of the of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
鈥淚t is now, over the past few days, my beliefs or what people think I believe have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe,鈥 . 鈥淎t the outset, many people expressed a shocking level of hate. But as the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion.鈥
Butker said he understands being criticized for his performance on the field. The 28-year-old said he values his religion more than football.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a decision I鈥檝e consciously made and one I do not regret at all,鈥 he said.
The NFL has distanced itself from Butker's comments. The league and 鈥渧iews are not those of the NFL as an organization.鈥
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said the three-time Super Bowl winner is entitled to his beliefs, even though he doesn鈥檛 always agree with him.
Speaking about Butker on his "New Heights鈥 podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he cherishes Butker as a teammate.
鈥淲hen it comes down to his views and what he said at (the) commencement speech, those are his,鈥 Kelce said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids. And I don鈥檛 think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life, that's just not who I am.鈥
Kelce does the podcast with his brother Jason, who recently retired after an outstanding career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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