Mike McDaniel looking on (left). Harrison Butker watching a play (right).
Mike McDaniel and Harrison Butker (Photos via Yahoo Sports Twitter and David Eulitt/Getty Images)Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had a clear message for Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who’s facing backlash over controversial comments he made at a commencement speech earlier this month.

On May 11, Harrison Butker spoke to graduating students at Benedictine College, a liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas. Butker made homophobic, antisemitic, sexist and misogynistic comments during the speech, including a suggestion to the graduating female students that they become “homemakers.”

Butker has faced widespread criticism over his offensive comments. A petition at Change.org calls for the Chiefs to release the veteran kicker, and it’s closing in on 225,000 signatures.

McDaniel was caught off guard with a reporter’s question about Harrison Butker and players openly discussing their beliefs. The third-year HC warned that people in Butker’s situation need to think about the consequences if they decide to express their beliefs:

“You do have to open the eyes of the players to their platform if they’re new to the situation. I think you have to understand what you say…can be fragmented and last with you forever…I really emphasize 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.”

 

Butker himself has not addressed the backlash or controversy publicly. Teammate Patrick Mahomes told reporters today that though he doesn’t agree with some of Butker’s statements, the kicker is a “good person.”

Head coach Andy Reid also tried to avoid fueling the controversy, telling reporters that freedom of speech is a special part of the nation.

Mike McDaniel Summed Up Harrison Butker’s Situation Perfectly

The beloved Miami head coach couldn’t have addressed the question about the Butker controversy any better. He stayed away from discussing Butker’s comments and offered an important reminder to players about what can happen when they publicly discuss sensitive topics.

Butker isn’t the first NFL player to receive widespread criticism for making controversial comments on such topics. Look at New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his bizarre endorsements of conspiracy theories and misinformation.

But a person with Butker’s platform simply must keep in mind what can happen when they say too much publicly. Whether he intended to or not, Butker has already lost a large portion of his many fans across the NFL world. All because he didn’t want to keep his beliefs to himself.

VIDEO: Rival AFC Team Wickedly Trolled Kansas City Chiefs’ Controversial Kicker Harrison Butker In Their Schedule Release

Photo of Harrison Butker speaking and photo of Sims depiction of Harrison Butker

Harrison Butker (Photos via Getty Images & @lindseyyok/Twitter)Harrison Butker is trending for recent controversial comments made during his commencement speech at Benedictine College in Kansas.The Kansas City Chiefs kicker has been fielding rife criticism over his take on Pride Month, transgenders, and gender roles.The Los Angeles Chargers made sure to include him in a hilarious video in which they divulged their schedule for the 2024 season.

The full NFL schedule dropped last night, and the Chargers have announced theirs using a quirky Sims edit in which they basically roast all their upcoming opponents. And everyone loves it.

L.A. and KC are set to square off twice this coming season. And, when one of the Chiefs fixtures came up, an animated depiction of Butker was shown in the kitchen.

Check it out below:

What Did Harrison Butker Say?

You probably wouldn’t get the kitchen reference if you didn’t know what Harrison Butker said. The Chargers put him there because he suggested that women should stick to the home and not wade into the workforce.

“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and a mother. I’m on this stage, and able to be the man I am, because I have a wife who leans into her vocation,” he said during the speech.

“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.”

Many people thought it was disparaging, which is why the Chargers are being lauded for the depiction.