In Praise of Harrison Butker’s Courage, Conviction and Christ-Centered Commencement Speech

Kansas City Chief’s kicker Harrison Butker is being pilloried by the left for giving a commonsense, conservative, Christ-centered commencement speech at Benedictine College.

A petition to “demand” the Kansas City Chiefs fire Butker has garnered over 188,000 signatures. It calls Butker’s remarks “dehumanizing against LGBTQ+ individuals,” an “attack on abortion rights” and “racially discriminatory.” It causes one to wonder, “How many of these people have actually listened to his speech?”

Sara Haines, a co-host on “The View,” remarked that Harrison Butker’s Catholic faith is a “very extreme religion,” and suggested that he is “not walking with Jesus.”

But anyone who has watched Butker’s remarks (which you can watch in full here) can see he was not filled with hate, animus, or a desire to dehumanize anyone.

In fact, his remarks have those on the left up in arms because he spoke out bravely and powerfully against many of our modern culture’s favorite sins – like abortion, surrogacy and “transgenderism,” for example – while lauding motherhood and masculinity.

As Christians, we know that denouncing sin – and calling others to holiness – is not hateful, though our culture may disagree. In fact, it’s one of the most loving things we can do – it shows that we care for the other person’s soul.

Scripture teaches in Hebrews 12:6,

“For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (ESV).

And the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 12:9,

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good” (ESV).

Butker spoke extraordinarily highly of his wife – Isabelle Butker – and her role as a mother and homemaker. He said – as he got choked up – that he would not be the man he is today without her.

Butker also spoke compellingly about the importance of fatherhood and masculinity.

Conservative commentator Allie Beth Stuckey pointed out the reason for the left’s outrage on X.

“Harrison Butker tipped over all the sacred cows – abortion, IVF/surrogacy, anti-motherhood, anti-masculinity, etc – and instead promoted the enemies of our cultural rot: fatherhood, marriage, courage, purity, sacrifice, respecting the dignity of life,” she wrote.

“That’s why people are screeching. They don’t like their idols threatened, and they have a profound disdain for goodness and truth.”

It’s said that “If you throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one that hollers is the one you hit.”

It’s revealing who is hollering after Butker’s speech.

After his remarks, the NFL’s chief diversity and inclusion officer quickly denounced Butker, saying, “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”

While the NFL organization is quick to criticize Christianity and conservativism, it is far slower to fret about players who have been convicted of domestic assault and battery by strangulation, for example.

Shouldn’t the NFL want more players like Harrison Butker – those who believe in Christ, respect women, and love their children, even if they happen to be (gasp) conservative?

While the left is outraged by Butker’s speech, many have also rallied to his defense.

San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said, “@buttkicker7’s call for young Catholic men to put their vocations as husbands and fathers first could not be more important. Surely, we spiritual fathers can ponder his call to us too. Faithfulness is the way.”

Bishop James Johnston of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph said, “Harrison Butker’s passion for his Catholic faith and his family are beautiful and well known. … I support Mr. Butker’s right to share his faith and express his opinions.”

Others have supported Butker by buying his Chief’s No. 7 jersey.

“I just bought my Harrison Butker [jersey] at NFL.com,” said conservative commentator Steve Deace. “Showed up #1 most popular item when I clicked on it.”

Others have reported that the NFL has sold out of Butker’s jersey in all women’s sizes.

The world needs far more men like Harrison Butker – not less. We need more of his boldness and honesty. Here at the Daily Citizen, we come to praise Harrison Butker, not to bury him.

Related articles and resources:

KC Chiefs’ Harrison Butker Isn’t Out of Touch – the NFL Is

Chiefs’ Kicker Harrison Butker is Proudly Pro-Life: ‘I Want to Give Voice to the Unborn’

Chiefs’ Kicker Harrison Butker’s Pro-Life Message to the White House: Protect Preborn Life

Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker: ‘Get Married and Start a Family’

Super Bowl-Winning Kansas City Chief’s Kicker: ‘Defend the Unborn and Protect the Sanctity of Life’

Photo from Getty Images.