The nuns of the Benedictine faculty condemned the kicker's speech
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs participant Harrison Butker has seen a surge in jersey gross sales, surpassing even his celebrity teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
This surge in gross sales follows Butker's graduation tackle at Benedictine School in Atchison, Kansas, which drew sharp criticism and help from numerous quarters.
As of Friday afternoon, Butker's No. 7 jersey turned the top-selling Kansas Metropolis Chiefs merchandise, in accordance with the NFL's official retailer. CBS Sports activities confirmed the development, noting that Butker's remarks throughout commencement significantly influenced the recognition of his jersey.
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Though particular gross sales numbers weren’t launched, the jersey was listed among the many “Prime Sellers” on the NFL Store web site.
Butker's speech at Benedictine School addressed a number of points, together with gender roles, abortion and cultural values. His speech included feedback suggesting that many ladies are most enthusiastic about their roles as wives and moms fairly than pursuing skilled careers.
“I believe it’s you girls who’ve advised you essentially the most diabolical lies,” Butker stated. “A few of you might go on to guide profitable careers on this planet, however I’d enterprise to guess that the majority of you’re most enthusiastic about your marriage and the youngsters you’ll convey into this world.”
His remarks provoked a backlash, particularly among the many Benedictine nuns of Mount St. Scholastics who issued statements condemning Butker's views. Nuns related to the school stated his feedback didn’t mirror the establishment's values.
“The Sisters of Mount St. Scholastica doesn’t imagine that Harrison Butker's feedback in his 2024 Benedictine School graduation tackle symbolize the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts faculty that our founders envisioned and during which we’re so invested,” it stated in a press release posted on Fb.
“We sisters have devoted our lives to God and God's folks, together with the numerous girls we’ve taught and influenced over the previous 160 years. These girls have made an enormous distinction on this planet of their roles as wives and moms and thru their God-given presents in management, schooling and careers.”
The NFL additionally distanced itself from Butker's statements.
Jonathan Beane, the NFL's senior vp and chief variety and inclusion officer, stated Butker's views are his personal and don’t mirror the league's place. Harrison Butker “gave a speech in his private capability. His views will not be these of the NFL as a company. The NFL is unwavering in our dedication to inclusion, which solely strengthens our league,” Beane stated.
GLAAD, an LGBT activist group, additionally criticized Butker's speech, calling it a “clear mistake” and “woefully out of contact with People. [p]experience, LGBTQ folks and girls.” The group additionally responded to Butker's condemnation of so-called LGBT Delight Month.
However Butker additionally acquired help from outstanding figures, together with Tavia Hunt, spouse of Chiefs proprietor Clark Hunt.
In an Instagram put up, Tavia Hunt defended Butker's reward of motherhood, noting that affirming the function of moms shouldn’t be bigoted. “Validating motherhood and praising your spouse, in addition to emphasizing the sacrifice and dedication that being a mom requires, shouldn’t be bigoted,” she wrote.
Greater than 216,600 folks have signed a petition calling for the NFL and the Chiefs to fireplace Butker, calling his speech “sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion and racist.”
Regardless of this, Butker's reputation and jersey gross sales proceed to develop.
Butker's speech additionally included criticism of President Joe Biden and addressed points similar to abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia and what he described as “degenerate cultural values”.
He urged the graduates to align their lives extra intently with God's will, utilizing his spouse Isabelle for instance of fulfilling conventional roles. “Isabella's dream profession could not have come true, however in the event you ask her right this moment if she has any regrets about her choice, she wouldn't hesitate to chuckle out loud and say 'hell no,'” Butker advised the viewers.
On the public look, Gracie Hunt, Clark Hunt's daughter, paid tribute to Butker's Christian religion and accomplishments.
“I actually respect Harrison and his Christian religion and what he's achieved on and off the sphere,” she stated. Gracie Hunt shared her personal constructive experiences rising up with a stay-at-home mother, acknowledging that whereas not all girls could make that selection, it was formative for her and her siblings.
