“Many hate Catholic values”

Harrison Butker fiercely defended the controversial Benedictine College commencement speech he delivered earlier this month at the Friday Evening Regina Caeli Academy Gala “Courage Under Fire”..

“If it wasn’t clear that many hated timeless Catholic values, it has now,” says the Kansas City Chiefs kicker, who serves on the board of a Catholic hybrid homeschool school, – he said during the meeting.

“Over the last few days, my beliefs – or what people think I believe – have been the subject of countless discussions around the world.”

He added: “At first, many people expressed shocking levels of hatred. However, as the days passed, even those who disagreed with my views shared their support for my religious freedom.”

Referring to his seven years in the NFL, Butker, 27, said he had become accustomed to criticism of his performance on the field and was now accustomed to hatred off the field.

“As you might expect, the more I talk about what I value most, which is my Catholic faith, the more polarized I become,” he continued.

Explaining his position, Butker continued: “It’s a decision I made consciously and one I don’t regret at all. If we have truth and love, we should trust in the Providence of the Lord and let the Holy Spirit do the rest of the work.”

The father of three then encouraged the gala participants to continue to share their Catholic faith with the world and live “with joy to be a good witness of Christ.”

“Praising God, not ourselves, should always remain our motivation despite all opposition and even support,” he added.

Butker concluded by pointing out that he hopes his final speech and the evening’s theme – “Courage Under Fire” – will “embolden others to be much more unapologetic about their Catholic faith and never be afraid to speak the truth,” even if it goes against the loudest voices.”

Butker was heavily criticized after his May 11 commencement speech, during which he told women graduating before him that they had been told “diabolical lies” about how they should live their lives. He also encouraged them to become wives, mothers and homemakers.

“How many of you are sitting here, just before you reach this stage, thinking about all the promotions and titles you will earn in your career?” – he asked then.

“Some of you may have successful careers around the world, but I would venture to guess that most of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

Butker was also criticized for calling Pride Month one of the “deadly sins” and labeling “abortion, in vitro fertilization and surrogacy products of ‘disorder’.”

GLAAD, an LGBTQIA+ organization, previously spoke out against Butker’s speech to Page Six.

“Harrison Butker’s inaugural speech was not only an obvious miss, it was inaccurate, misinformed, and woefully out of touch with Americans on pride, LGBTQ people, and women,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis told us last week.

“People with extensive platforms, especially athletes, should use their voices to raise and expand understanding and acceptance in the world.”

The NFL also released a statement saying Butker’s views “are not the views” of the organization.

Former Las Vegas Raiders linebacker and current free agent Isaac Rochell then made fun of the situation by calling himself a “stay-at-home husband.”

However, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes recently said that Butker is a “good guy,” despite previously admitting that the two teammates are not close and rarely talk to each other.

“I have known Harrison for seven years and I judge him by the character he shows every day. He’s a good guy,” Mahomes, 28, said Wednesday after a team practice.

“He’s someone who cares about the people around him, cares about his family and wants to make a good impact on society.”

Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce also called Butker a “great person,” but confirmed he disagrees with “almost nothing” except that he loves his family and his children.