Harrison Butker stood his ground over his past controversial commencement speech, saying he doesn’t believe a woman’s role as a homemaker should be “diminished.”
The Kansas City Chiefs got candid about the backlash he has faced, admitting he was “definitely saddened” with how people took his words “in a poor manner” during a recent appearance on “The Ingraham Angle.”
“I was trying to speak life for so many women that have dedicated their life to being the homemaker, being the one that raises the children,” he said. “And it’s a beautiful role, but it’s not a role that should be diminished.”
Butker, 29, acknowledged “it’s countercultural to speak those values,” but he witnessed his “wonderful mother” be a “homemaker” and now his wife, Isabelle, whom he wed in 2018.
“There’s nothing shameful if you are a woman and you want to spend time with your family and raise your children, so it’s not putting down anyone who maybe wants to go get a great education and have a career,” he continued.
“But it’s more talking about how beautiful it is for women to maybe just step aside and prioritize their family and spend time with their children and raise their family. And that’s what I was just trying to speak love about.”
In May, the NFL kicker went viral when he addressed Benedictine College’s female graduates, telling them they should aspire to become wives, mothers and “homemakers.”
“Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but 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,” he said.
At the time, Butker also condemned the “disorders” of abortion, IVF and surrogacy. He also referred to Pride Month as one of the “deadly sins.”
Despite the immense backlash, the dad of three has stood his ground, saying he’s faced scrutiny because he’s a devout Catholic.
“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,” he said days after the speech.
In August, Butker told reporters at the Chiefs training camp that his speech came from “a place of love.”
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