Harrison Butker addresses commencement speech backlash, says people took it ‘in a poor manner’

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Harrison Butker is candidly addressing the fallout from his controversial comments about women in the workforce>

During a recent interview with Fox News, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker reflected on the backlash following his May commencement speech, where he spoke about the “diabolical lies” told to women about pursuing careers over homemaking.

With an endorsement for Senator Josh Hawley in the backdrop, Butker shared his thoughts on family roles and the importance of honoring the choices of women—sparking both support and criticism from various public figures.

Harrison Butker 'saddened' by commencement speech backlash

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, 29, spoke with Fox News after endorsing Josh Hawley for his Senate reelection campaign, on Thursday, October 10.

During his conversation with host Laura Ingraham on 'The Ingraham Angle', Butker addressed the criticism stemming from his commencement speech in May, where he discussed the “diabolical lies told to women” about pursuing careers instead of becoming homemakers.

Butker said, “I’m definitely saddened [some people] took it in a poor manner."

“I was talking to a specific crowd that I think was able to understand what I was trying to say.”

He added,  “But I was trying to speak life for so many women that have dedicated their life to being the homemaker, being the one that raises the children.” 

Butker acknowledged that his views might be considered “countercultural", but he drew inspiration from the examples set by his mother, Elizabeth Butker, an accomplished physicist, and his wife, Isabelle Butker, as per People.

He explained, “There's nothing shameful if you are a woman and you want to spend time with your family and raise your children, so it's not putting down anyone who maybe wants to go get a great education and have a career.” 

He explained, “But it's more talking about how beautiful it is for women to maybe just step aside and prioritize their family and spend time with their children and raise their family. And that's what I was just trying to speak love about.”

Internet reacts to Harrison Butker's take on his contentious commencement speech

After Harrison Butker's comments on the backlash he received regarding women's roles in the workforce and other topics, many people swiftly took to social media to respond to his latest statements.

One user said, "He's entitled to his views, but that doesn't shield him from criticism or scrutiny, especially when he’s saying that women should “step aside”"

The second shared, "Maybe he should step aside. Silently."

Another user wrote, "He needs to get back in his time capsule and travel back to the 1950’s!" 

One person penned, “No I ain’t gonna step aside, my bf and I are a team going on 6 years, ain’t no way making oneself smaller is how a woman should be in a relationship! In a true relationship, both partners are a team, not mom and child."

Another remarked, "LOL. He’s not living in the real world."

A user slammed, "This guy needs to stop….talking."

A netizen shared a GIF of a man continuously shouting, "SHUT UP! SHUT UP!! SHUT UPPPP!!!!"

The last user shared, "Of course his wife doesn’t work she’s married to an NFL player not all women have that luxury and need to work."

Harrison Butker's contentious speech at Benedictine College

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker previously stirred controversy with his May 11 commencement address at Benedictine College, where he discussed topics like in vitro fertilization (IVF), abortion, surrogacy, and claimed that Pride Month represented “deadly sins".

He addressed female students directly, acknowledging his wife’s choice to be a homemaker. “For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment,” he said.

“I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.”

He continued, “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. I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”

These comments sparked backlash from various public figures, including Katy Perry, Flavor Flav, and Maria Shriver.

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