Harrison Butker stands firm: no regrets or apologies for his speech

The Chiefs kicker isn’t walking back on his comments

Harrison ButkerX/@edify_us

Harrison Butker’s commencment speech continues to make headlines, and it doesn’t appear the Kansas City Chiefs kicker is going to change his thoughts anytime soon.

The 28-year-old spoke a Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Kansas. Amongst the many things he said, Butker said that most women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having children.

He also stated that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.”

While Butker has received support from some of his teammates and fans, he has raced plenty of backlash for his controversial views.

Butker’s first public remarks since speech

On Friday, Butker spoke for the first time since the speech. He appeared at a Courage Under Fire gala in Nashville, which was held to support a Catholic charity.

Judging by Butker’s comments, he won’t be backtracking on his comments. He noted that he was shocked at the level of his hate his comments have received, and that he remains “unapologetic” about his faith.

“If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now,” Butker said. “Over the past few days, my beliefs, or what people think I believe, have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe.

“In my seven years in the NFL, I’ve become familiar with positive and negative comments. But the majority of them revolve around my performance on the field.

“But, as to be expected, the more I’ve talked about what I value most, my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I’ve become. It’s a decision I’ve consciously made, and one I do not regret at all.

“I can never forget that it is not people, but Jesus Christ who I am trying to please.”