Kelly Stafford took to social media to “point out a few things” about Harrison Butker’s now-viral commencement speech at Benedictine College last weekend. In it, he encouraged female graduates to be “homemakers.”
The wife of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford went off about the Chiefs kicker, who said in his speech that women have been diabolically lied to about topics including abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and surrogacy on social media.
“I just want to point out a few things. It is a choice. It is a woman’s choice whether she is just a mom,” Stafford said in a video posted by her and Hank Winchester’s “Morning After” podcast — adding that she “thrives” as a homemaker to four young daughters.
“It is a woman’s choice whether she decides to be a career woman. It is a woman’s choice if she decides to do both and balance and do all that.
Kelly Stafford weighed in on Harrison Butker’s now-viral commencement speech, in which he encouraged female graduates to be “homemakers,” at Benedictine College.Instagram/Kelly Stafford
Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles prior to Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium on February 12, 2023 in Glendale, Arizona.Getty Images
“And I think for someone to get up at a commencement speech and tell women who have been working their butts off for four years, possibly paying their way and are now in debt and they’re gonna need a career that their biggest success story will be being a mom and a wife and don’t get me wrong, that might be, but it’s their choice whether they do that or not.
“To tell them they have been ‘diabolically lied to,’ you know, in a world where it’s tough I feel like we constantly tear each other down. I feel like to build each other up to build men and women up, not tear either down because, you know what, there are some bright-ass women that can change this world. And to tell them that they don’t really belong in the workplace.”
Matthew Stafford and Kelly Stafford with their four daughters at the end of the 2023-24 season.Instagram/Kelly Stafford
Stafford went on to explain why Butker’s comments at the Catholic school about IVF “hit home” for her, specifically his statement: “Let’s be honest, there is nothing good about playing God with having children, whether that be your ideal number or the perfect time to conceive.”
Butker and his wife Isabelle share two children, a son and daughter.
Stafford explained that she believes IVF is a “miracle” for those having trouble getting pregnant.
“To further that, I’m a damn good mom and I’m doing to do my best to raise my kids to make this world a better place. And I know a lot of moms that used IVF and surrogacy that are doing the same, raising their kids the right way. So we deserve kids,” Stafford said.
Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) kicks the ball on a kickoff against the Las Vegas Raiders during an NFL football game on December 25, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri.Getty Images
Butker also said in his speech that the LGBTQ+ community was partaking in “deadly sins” by celebrating pride.
“Passing judgment on gay people – which Hank is one of the best men I know – and as Christians, I feel like it’s our job to one, not pass judgement, but to also just lift each other up because at the end of the day, we don’t decide… the choice you make you have to live with. So make sure you’re making your choice for you and not because other people are telling you where you belong,” Stafford said.
“… If I was sitting there and my daughters were graduating and a man got up and said that there’s probably not a career insight for them, that would be very tough for me to handle. And I truly hope that we all move past this and just learn that women are bright as hell and if we can use their brains and men’s brains, I just feel like this world would be a better place.”
Kelly Stafford weighed in on Harrison Butker’s now-viral commencement speech, in which he encouraged female graduates to be “homemakers,” at Benedictine College.Instagram/Kelly Stafford
Stafford, who said she is a stay-at-home mom, explained that she understands that her reality isn’t the same as other women.
“Building up men and not tearing them down is important,” she said in a note posted to her Instagram feed. “Everyone has a choice of what they want his/her life to look like.. it’s not up to anyone else or society. The more society tells women where they belong, the more imposter syndrome starts to creep in, that they don’t belong because that’s what society is telling them.
“I’m happy, and I thrive at home with being a homemaker, but that’s not every woman’s story, nor should it have to be. Some women choose not to stay home and some women don’t have the luxury to choose. We all might not agree on everything, but I think we all want the same end goal, a better world for our kids. I think supporting and encouraging women and men in whatever roles they choose is a great first step towards that goal.”
The NFL distanced itself from Butker in a statement saying its values do not align with those of the three-time Super Bowl champ.
Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt defended Butker when Steve Doocy asked about the kicker’s speech during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” on Friday.
Kelly Stafford weighed in on Harrison Butker’s now-viral commencement speech, in which he encouraged female graduates to be “homemakers,” at Benedictine College.Instagram/Kelly Stafford
“I can only speak from my own experience, which is I had the most incredible mom who had the ability to stay home and be with us as kids growing up,” Hunt said. “And I understand that there are many women out there who can’t make that decision but for me in my life, I know it was really formative in shaping me and my siblings to be who we are.”
Doocy then asked, “So you understand what he was talking about?” to which Hunt replied: “For sure, and I really respect Harrison and his Christian faith and what he’s accomplished on and off the field.”
