Caleb Harris
The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t exactly been distraction-free in the months since last season’s Super Bowl victory. But coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the team’s two most notable spokespeople, defended kicker Harrison Butker on Wednesday when asked to speak at the Chiefs veteran’s recent polarizing Benedictine commencement speech. College.
“I know Harrison,” Mahomes told reporters. “I’ve known him for seven years. And I judge him by the character he shows every day, and that’s a good person. This is someone who cares about the people around him, cares about his family and wants to do a good impact on society. When you’re in the locker room, there are a lot of people from different walks of life, and they have very different opinions about everything.
“And there are certain things he said that I don’t necessarily agree with. But I understand the person he is, and he’s trying to do everything he can to try to lead people in the right direction. same values as me, but at the same time, I’m going to judge him by the values that he demonstrates every day, and he’s a great person… I know what kind of person he is, and I will. make sure you look at that first.”
Reid echoed Mahomes’ stance, supporting the three-time Super Bowl champion kicker.
“I talk to Harrison all the time,” Reid said. “I didn’t talk to him about it. I didn’t think I needed to. We’re a microcosm of life here. We’re from different areas, different religions, different races. We all get along. We all respect each other’s opinions. And we don’t necessarily follow that , but we respect that everyone has a voice. That’s what’s great about America, man. We’re just a microcosm of that, and I wish — my wish is that everyone could follow that.”
Asked how he might respond to women who work for the Chiefs who were offended by Butker’s comments, Reid dismissed the question, telling reporters that did not happen.
“I don’t think he was talking down to women,” Reid added. “But he has his opinions, and we all respect that. I let you into this room, and you have a lot of opinions that I don’t like.”
Butker initially received backlash – particularly on social media – after his wide-ranging May 11 speech, aimed at practicing Catholics, addressed a range of controversial issues, including abortion and “degenerate cultural values.” The 28-year-old kicker notably argued that women have been told “diabolical lies” about prioritizing career advancement over motherhood, and suggested that Pride Month celebrates a “deadly sin.” He also urged men to be more present – and “do hard things” – inside and outside the home.
O NFL initially said in a league statement that Butker made his comments “in his personal capacity” and that his views do not align with those of the NFL. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday at the NFL at spring meetings, however, league players and staff “have a diversity of opinions and thoughts,” which is “something we value.”
Butker, who is one of NFL most accurate kickers of all time in terms of career field goal percentage, briefly saw his number 7 jersey become one of the best sellers in the league after his comments went viral.
