Harrison Butker made his first public appearance Friday night since his commencement speech at Benedictine College, and he showed no regrets.
THE Kansas City Chiefs kicker appeared on Friday at the “Courage Under Fire Gala” in Nashville, presented by the Regina Caeli Academy.
The academy “encourages our students to strive for academic excellence as well as virtuous living, self-discipline and responsibility through a classical education taught in light of the Catholic tradition,” according to its website. Butker has served on the academy’s board of directors since last year.
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Place kicker Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a field goal in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 26, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chiefs beat the Raiders 31-17. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Butker took the stage at the gala and received a rousing ovation before yet another speech in which he doubled down on his faith and his comments, despite the scrutiny he faced.
“The theme for tonight’s gala, Courage Under Fire, was decided several months ago, but it now seems providential that this is the theme after what we have all witnessed over the past two weeks,” Butker said. “If it wasn’t obvious that timeless Catholic values were hated by many, it is now.”
Butker said he understands he has become a “more polarizing” figure the more he speaks out about his beliefs – but he will never care what people think of him.
“Our love for Jesus, and therefore our desire to express ourselves, should never be balanced by the desire of our fallen nature to be loved by the world. Glorifying God and not ourselves should always remain our motivation despite any resistance or even all support. I rely on those close to me for guidance, but I can never forget that it is not people, but Jesus Christ that I am trying to please.
Harrison Butker #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up before Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on February 11, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
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Butker added that he is “humbled” by the support he has received, and that any backlash he has received cannot compare to the “courage that many saints have shown in their lives.”
“If I constantly remind myself of the trials endured by the saints, especially the martyrs in their persecution, it all does not seem so serious. For if Heaven is our goal, we should embrace our cross, however big or small it may be. be and live our lives with joy to be a bold witness for Christ,” Butker said.
“My hope is the theme tonight and the mission of RCA will encourage others to understand that many others will not apologize for their Catholic faith and will never be afraid to speak for the truth, even if it goes against the loudest voices. Ultimately, being brave starts with the little things. Being hated and misinterpreted by some is nothing compared to finding yourself in the lion’s den.
At first, Butker urged women with college degrees to become “housewives” and criticized the LGBTQ community and President Biden for his stance on abortion.
In his speech, Butker added that “things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, and growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.” .
Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during opening night of Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium prior to Super Bowl LVIII on February 5, 2024, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
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Butcher jersey sales have skyrocketed since on NFL Shop, while many media outlets remain divided on the speech.
Butker played in his third Super Bowl this year with Kansas City, helping them return to it back-to-back in February.
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