Who is Harrison Butker? Chiefs kicker gives controversial commencement speech
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker is facing backlash on social media over offensive comments he made during a commencement speech at Benedictine College this past weekend.
Butker used his 20 minutes onstage May 11 at the private Catholic liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, to protest Pride month, transgender people, working women and how President Joe Biden handled the COVID-19 pandemic.
But who is Butker? Here are some facts to know about the controversial NFL player.
Who is Harrison Butker?
Butker, a Chiefs' placekicker, was born July 14, 1995, in Decatur, Georgia. Nicknamed "Butt Kicker" by Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, Butker was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL draft before signing with Kansas City in September of that year.
How long has Harrison Butker been with the Chiefs?
Butker was released from the Panthers' practice squad Sept. 13, 2017, and signed with the Chiefs almost two weeks later on Sept. 26. He made his debut with the team during a Week 4 game Oct. 2 against Washington and made 3 of 4 field goals, with a long of 43 yards, USA TODAY reported. Butker went on to make 38 field goals, setting an NFL record for most makes by a rookie.
Butker will play in his eighth season with the Chiefs in 2024.
What did Harrison Butker say at Benedictine College?
Butker started his 20-minute commencement speech by giving his opinion on Pride month and its "dangerous gender ideologies."
"Not the deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it," Butker said, "but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him."
Butker also criticized President Biden's policies, including his response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique," Butker said. "The bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for the degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder."
Lastly, Butker addressed the women in the audience, arguing their “most important title” should be “homemaker," per the Associated Press.
"I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you," Butker added. "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.
Harrison Butker quoted Taylor Swift
According to People magazine, Butker quoted a lyric from Taylor Swift's song "Bejeweled" off her 2022 album "Midnights" during the commencement speech. He also referred to the Grammy-winning pop star as his "teammate's girlfriend."
"As my teammate's girlfriend says, 'familiarity breeds contempt,'" Butker said while criticizing some priests for being too close to their parishioners, per The Sporting News.
What did Harrison Butker do at the White House?
Fox News reports Butker wore an anti-abortion necktie when the Chiefs visited the White House following their Super Bowl 57 victory in 2023. The tie was designed by Live Action, an anti-abortion organization, and featured the Latin phrase "Vulnerari Praesidio," which translates to “Protect the most vulnerable."
The 28-year-old also wore a gold pin designed to look like a baby's feet.
Where did Harrison Butker go to college?
Butker went to Georgia Tech and, as a freshman, hit 10 of 14 field goals (71%). He had his best season as a senior, hitting on 15 of 17 kicks, and left Tech as the all-time leading scorer in school history.
Butker graduated in 2017 with a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering.
Who is Harrison Butker's wife?
Butker is married to Isabelle Butker, formerly Isabelle Tehrani, his longtime partner and high school sweetheart. The couple started dating while attending Westminster High School in Atlanta and got engaged after Butker entered the NFL.
The two wed in 2018 and now have two children: a 4-year-old son named James Augustine Butker and a daughter whose name and age remain unknown.
Who is Harrison Butker's mom?
Butker's mother is Elizabeth Keller Butker, a medical physicist who works in the department of radiation oncology at Emory University School of Medicine.
Harrison Butker stats
Since 2017, Butker has won three Super Bowl championships with the Chiefs. He holds records for the longest field goal in a Super Bowl and career field goals in the Super Bowl with nine.
He also led the league in scoring in 2019 and has made 89% of his career field goals, which is second in NFL history to Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.
Butker had his best season in 2023, converting 33 of 35 field goals, including 24 in a row. He also hit all 38 of his extra-point attempts. During a 25-17 win against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17, Butker went a career-high 6-for-6 on field goals and was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Harrison Butker: Who is he? Who's his wife? Mom? Everything to know
