Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker finally opened up about the backlash he is getting after the commencement speech on May 11 at the Benedictine College. The player said at the event, “Tragically, so many priests revolve much of their happiness from the adulation they receive from their parishioners. And in searching for this, they let their guard down and become overly familiar,”. Later on, he indirectly mentioned Teammate Travis Kelce’s superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift adding,”This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time. Because as my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘familiarity breeds contempt.’”On May 24, during a speech at the Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, presented by the Regina Caeli Academy, a homeschool hybrid academy for Catholic families. Let’s check out the complete details of this story.
Harrison Butker talked about the controversy at the Benedictine College event
Butker said at the event, “The theme for tonight’s gala, Courage Under Fire, was decided many months ago, but it now feels providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these last two weeks. If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now.”
The 28-year-old continues, “Over the past few days, my beliefs or what people think I believe have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe. At 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.”
The NFL star added, “In my seven years in the NFL, I’ve become familiar with the 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, which is my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I have become. It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all.”
The player who was acknowledged by Regina Caeli Academy, noted he was “humbled by the support” he’s received “from all walks of life.”
“But I can’t help but tremble at the thought of the courage many saints have shown in their lives,” Butker continued. “Would I be so bold if the repercussion was what Daniel faced in being fed to lions? In reality, any courage I’ve shown will lead to some small suffering, and it will lead to some people maybe never liking me. But that could be God’s will. If I constantly remind myself of the hardships the saints went through, especially the martyrs and their persecution, it makes it all seem not so bad.”
He added, “My hope is that tonight’s theme and our mission will embolden others, that many more will be unapologetic of their Catholic faith and never be afraid to speak out for truth, even when it goes against the loudest voices.”
Also Read: Travis Kelce Addressed Harrison Butker’s Controversial Commencement Speech
