Why Chiefs' Harrison Butker’s commencement speech is under fire

In his commencement speech at Benedictine College over the weekend, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker railed against President Joe Biden, Pride month and IVF. He also spoke directly to the women in the audience, saying, “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.” NBC’s Kaylee Hartung reports for TODAY.

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[heartstrings]

I have a degree and a career. It’s great. But being a mom and wife has brought the most joys of my life.

[NateSchneider-zjrz]

It was a Catholic college commencement speech. His speech was about Catholic values. Why would people be surprised by that?

[mdcampbe]

Sounded like he knows more about Catholicism and politics than the actual Bible, but cancel culture is getting sickening.

It’s actually ok NOT to have a meltdown every time someone disagrees with your strongly felt beliefs.

[cashced]

crazy how this is considered controversial

[smokenojoke]

He’s a devout Catholic . He was even shedding tears for his wife being a stay at home mom for the betterment of the family. If you want to put work before family that’s your choice but not everyone has to agree with you.

[vonnievee]

Did he at any point tell the men that being a father & the head of a family would be their most fulfilling role in life? Because men often struggle with what's most important in a materialistic society too...

[crimsonthumos]

He is a traditional Catholic man who was INVITED to speak at a traditional Catholic University full of other traditional Catholics. He said nothing which wasn't official Church teaching. The audience gave him a standing ovation at the end. These are affairs of the Catholic community, if you don't like it- it's simply none of your business.

[MsMockingbird]

If you look up Benedictine College you’ll see that it’s clearly a Catholic college. His personal views shared in his speech clearly align with the values of the college. Why would or should he lose his job over this? Most of the attendees had no issue with the speech, hence, his standing ovation. If others have an issue with the speech, that clearly is not the environment for you, but people are allowed to have varying opinions and values even if they aren’t liberal.

[MikeHunt-nokt]

I see all the propaganda stations are targeting Butker for wrong think.

[Whatiftheresmore]

Imagine being offended by a man supporting the family, women and babies!
We live in a sad world!

[Rentfree]

Blown out of proportion…soft society we live in

[brett]

It is absolutely wild that a speech like this is controversial. What a bunch of losers in our society

[genenarvaez]

He has the right to give his views...Everybody else does and it's ok

[bigpompano]

Speech under fire? Nah, that speech *was* fire

[AndrewWester]

My wife was a nurse for 6 years before our first daughter was born and she decided to quit. The goal was to save on childcare costs and have more family time. While I don't make a ton of money, there are some things money cannot buy. The priceless early years of your kids lives pass fast. You cannot get that time back. It's sad how willingly our society discards the value of a mother in the home. Butker is not saying women shouldn't have life skills or eventually return to work, he is saying that home maker is a real job, and not to be laughed at. If you think your 'job' is worth more, I encourage you to take a drive past a cemetery some time. How many of those people were truly so important at work that the company couldn't go on when they died..

[lukeypukey]

An endless news cycle about teen depression, anxiety, suicide, and gun violence - but when somebody suggests its important to actively raise kids and maintain a strong nuclear family, THATS what's outrageous. Let em raise themselves on the internet, that seems to be going well.

[keshaheffron]

It's interesting how everybody else in society can have their own opinions about how life should go, but he can't have his. He stood up for families! Good for him! God bless him!

[boomerangfox]

I listened to the whole thing. Nothing wrong with it. It was a great speech. I have a successful, 6 figure career in a job I love, but the roles I love best for my life are husband and father. Being a spouse and parent is way more important than working some corporate job.

[dianereid]

Loved Harrison commencement speech!!! The only ones against it are people with no love in their hearts.

[jolting]

Anyone who was offended by this heard what they wanted to hear instead of what he actually said. Learn to listen.