Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker recently sparked controversy with his commencement speech at Benedictine College on May 11, which included a nod to Taylor Swift. His teammate, tight end Travis Kelce, addressed the situation on the May 24 episode of the New Heights podcast.
“I cherish him as a teammate,” Travis said, noting he doesn’t agree with most of Butker’s views expressed in the speech but respects his right to hold them. “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids.”
Jason Kelce also weighed in, emphasizing the context of Butker’s speech being delivered at a religious institution. “A lot of the things he said in his commencement speech are not things that I align myself with,” Jason said, adding that it was expected to be a religious speech at a Catholic university.
The speech drew varied reactions from public figures. Maren Morris, Maria Shriver, Patricia Heaton, and Whoopi Goldberg all commented on the speech, reflecting a range of perspectives. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid both acknowledged the right to free speech and the importance of respecting diverse opinions within the team.
Additionally, Tavia and Gracie Hunt, wife and daughter of Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt, supported diverse choices for women in their responses.
The controversy around Butker’s speech highlights ongoing debates over traditional values and contemporary societal roles.
