Harrison Butker and Taylor Swift (Photos via Getty Images)
The divisive speech that Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gave at Benedictine, a private Catholic institution in Atchison, Kansas, went viral and sparked a growing backlash.
The most criticism has been leveled against Butker for remarks he made during his address that were aimed at women.
It appears Taylor Swift has responded to him.
Days after Harrison Butker seemingly told women to be “homemakers,” Taylor Swift shared a cryptic Instagram post supposedly clapping back at the NFL kicker.
The day after Butker delivered his speech, Swift shared an Instagram post to “the new Tortured Poets section of the Eras Tour (aka Female Rage The Musical!)”.
“This post is dedicated to the new Tortured Poets section of the Eras Tour (aka Female Rage The Musical!) and everyone who made these memories so magical. To my crew, fellow performers, and band who worked tirelessly in their break to concoct this surprise for you – but
mostly for the fans in Paris. I’m so thankful that it was you we got to show this to for the first time because you gave us so much excitement, passion, and love. I’m SO fired up to play this for every crowd on the tour. See you very soon, Stockholm!” she said.
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In his speech, Harrison Butker discussed the LGBTQ community, gender roles, and President Joe Biden, among other things.
“For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives,” he said at one point. “I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women,
who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career?”
“I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker,” he added.
Many believe that Swift’s answer to Butker’s speech was nuanced, even though it isn’t a direct rebuttal. This is especially true given that Swift has long supported equality and been an advocate of the LGBTQ+ community, two things that Butker attacked in his speech.
Butker claimed that President Joe Biden was “delusional” for wearing the Sign of the Cross at a pro-abortion rally while also claiming to be a devoted Catholic throughout his address, which leaned heavily on his Christian worldview.
“Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the Sign of The Cross during a pro-abortion rally,” he stated in the speech. “He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I’m sure to many people it appears to many people you can be both Catholic and pro-choice.”
In addition, Butker’s speech incited the wrath of Swifties when he used the song “familiarity breeds contempt,” which was penned by Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce’s girlfriend, to highlight a point against priests getting too close to their parishioners.
Swift’s song “Bejeweled” contains a message that many fans of the song have pointed out is not well conveyed in the lyrics.
Travis Kelce Disagrees With Harrison Butker On ‘Majority’ of His Views
Travis Kelce (Photo by Fernando Leon/Getty Images)
Travis Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, expressed his disagreement with the “majority” of Harrison Butker’s viewpoints during the Chiefs kicker’s Benedictine College address. Pundits and several media outlets criticized the address.
When Kelce made remarks about Butker, he appeared on a podcast with his former NFL-playing brother.
“When it comes down to his views and what he said at the … commencement speech, those are his. I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids.”
“I don’t think that I should judge him by his views,” Kelce added. “Especially his religious views of how to go about life. That’s just not who I am.”
Kelce’s comments come after fellow teammate Patrick Mahomes, as well as Chiefs coach Andy Reid, came out and supported Butker from attacks over the speech.
Kansas City Chiefs Have Made A Decision On Harrison Butker’s Future With The Team Following His Controversial Comments
Harrison Butker among Chiefs teammates (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
The Kansas City Chiefs appear to have made a decision on Harrison Butker following some of his comments earlier this month.
The three-time Super Bowl-winning kicker has been under intense scrutiny since his speech at Benedictine College’s commencement ceremony, with some people considering it controversial, divisive, and hateful.
The Chiefs star slammed Pride Month, branding it a sin, took shots against birth control, and had some shade for the transgender community.
But what he had to say about women and employment is what rubbed most of his detractors the wrong way.
“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you,” Harrison said. “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. I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”
The NFL released a statement distancing itself from Butker while a petition has been circulating as certain people want him off the team.
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However, while the Chiefs might not necessarily agree with the player, they are sticking by him.
“I didn’t think I need to,” Reid told reporters after being asked whether he spoke to Butker about what he said (H/T CBS Sports). “We’re a microcosm of life. … We all respect each other’s opinions. We all have a voice.”
Roger Goodell & Patrick Mahomes Also Spoke Up For Harrison Butker
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has also said the player isn’t in danger of punishment.
“Listen, we have over 3,000 players. … They have diversity of opinions and thoughts just like America does,” he told the press. “I think that’s something we treasure. That’s part of what ultimately makes us as a society better. We’re not going to go much beyond the statement we made last week.”
Meanwhile, star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has also jumped to his teammate’s defense.
He said, “I’ve known him for seven years. I judge him by the character he shows every day and that’s a good person. … We’re not always going to agree. He said certain things I don’t agree with.”
So that’s that. Harrison Butker isn’t going anywhere.
