(CNN) — In his first public feedback since a controversial speech at a current school graduation, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker defended his speech and emphasised his Catholic religion.
“If it wasn't clear that timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it’s now,” Butker mentioned throughout a speech on the “Braveness Underneath Fireplace” gala in Nashville on Friday evening.
The speech in Nashville was reported by X right-wing media outlet The Day by day Wire.
That is the primary time the three-time Tremendous Bowl champion has spoken publicly about his Could 11 graduation speech at Benedictine Faculty, a small Catholic school in Kansas. Throughout his speech, Butker made feedback that many interpreted as homophobic and sexist, together with calling Pleasure Month a “lethal sin” and saying that the accomplishments of a housewife are extra invaluable than any tutorial or skilled objectives, amongst different issues.
Friday evening was hosted by the Regina Caeli Academy – a combined campus/homeschool Catholic college group with a number of branches across the nation. The gala featured a number of different audio system, together with right-wing media persona and Day by day Wire host Matt Walsh.
“Over the previous few days, my religion, or what individuals suppose I imagine, has been the main target of numerous discussions all over the world,” mentioned Butker, who serves on the varsity's board of trustees.
The Regina Caeli Academy didn’t instantly reply to CNN's request for remark.
“At first, many individuals expressed a surprising degree of hatred. However as the times glided by, even those that disagreed with my views shared their help for my freedom of faith,” Butker mentioned Friday.
Butker reaffirmed his dedication to his Catholic religion, saying, “Our love for Jesus, and thus our need to talk, ought to by no means be outweighed by our fallen nature's need to be liked by the world.
Throughout his speech, Butker referred to St. Daniel, the biblical prophet who was thrown into the lion's den for committing himself to prayer to God, regardless of the regulation that condemned believers to loss of life.
“I can't assist however shudder to consider the braveness that so many saints have proven of their lives,” Butker mentioned.
Daniel was spared by God due to his devotion to the religion, in response to the Outdated Testomony.
“Would I be so presumptuous if this was what Daniel confronted when he was fed to the lions?” In reality, any braveness I’ve proven will result in a little bit struggling. And that may result in some individuals perhaps by no means liking me, however that might be the need of God,” the Chiefs kicker mentioned.
The NFL launched a press release earlier this month saying Butker's feedback didn’t mirror the league's views.
Butker's Could 11 speech drew criticism from LGBT advocacy group GLAAD, which referred to as his feedback “clearly misguided” and “woefully out of contact with People about Pleasure, LGBTQ individuals, and girls.”
Even the sisters from Mount St. Monastery distanced themselves from Butker's message. Scholastica, founding establishment and sponsor of the Benedictine Faculty. “The Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica don’t imagine that Harrison Butker's feedback in his 2024 Benedictine Faculty graduation deal with characterize the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts school that our founders envisioned and by which we’re so invested,” they mentioned in a press release. . “As a substitute of selling unity in our church, our nation and the world, his feedback appeared to advertise division.”
Fellow Chiefs star Travis Kelce lately responded to the graduation deal with, he says he disagrees with “nearly none” of Butker's views, however values him as a teammate.
“I worth him as a teammate. I believe Pat (Mahomes) mentioned it greatest the place he's an amazing particular person and an amazing teammate,” Kelce mentioned on the most recent episode of the “New Heights” podcast he hosts along with his brother Jason.
The-CNN-Wire
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