The Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker delivered a commencement address amid criticism.
Harrison Butker is one of the NFL’s most gifted kickers, but many people believe he committed a mistake and is now being punished by society.
During his faith-based commencement speech, he discussed religion, abortion, and the LGBTQ+ community in a way that many people find acceptable, and colleagues and teammates have inquired about the topic.
Here’s how #Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel responded to a question about Harrison Butker’s speech:
“Whatever you’re going to say, you better believe it.”
“[Players] have the freedom of choice, and if they want to go that direction, go right ahead.” pic.twitter.com/DQaoJxsI4A
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) May 22, 2024
It was the turn of Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel to address this contentious issue, and he was very respectful of the current situation in the NFL.
“I think you do have to open the eyes of the players to their platform if they’re new to the situation,” McDaniel told the media. “I think you have to understand that what you say publicly can be fragmented and last with you forever.”
He went on to remark that in order to say something, a person must believe it, but they must also understand that whatever they say has implications.
“I emphasize that whatever you say, you should believe it. Simply strive to educate people so that they comprehend the implications of their actions. They have the ability to choose, and if they want to go that way, go right ahead.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on controversial commencement speech by Harrison Butker:
“We have over 3,000 players. We have executives around the league. They have diversity of opinions and thoughts just like America does. That’s something we treasure”https://t.co/000JjL9lyA
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) May 22, 2024
When asked about the matter, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stated, “There’s certain things he said that I don’t necessarily agree with, but I understand the person that he is, and he is trying to do whatever he can to lead people in the right direction.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also addressed the issue in a statement. “Harrison Butker delivered a speech in his personal capacity. His views do not reflect those of the NFL as a whole. “The NFL remains steadfast in its commitment to inclusion, which only strengthens our league,” he stated.