And so the calls came to fire one not because of anything to do with how good he is at his job; the calls to terminate employment came solely because of an opinion one holds. He should not be allowed to possess that opinion and remain employed in a prominent place. So was the reaction directed this past week toward Harrison Butker, NFL kicker.
From the Kansas City Star: “The KC Chiefs should fire Harrison Butker and hire someone who kicks like a girl.”
From the Daily News: “Chiefs’ Harrison Butker under fire for trying to kick women back into the last century.”
And from the demanding Change.org petition: “The harmful remarks made by Harrison Butker, kicker of the Kansas City Chiefs, during his commencement address at Benedictine College were unacceptable.” His words were “dehumanizing.”
So what did he actually say?
In a speech lasting approximately 20 minutes, let us begin by acknowledging the wisdom in listening to such in its entirety as opposed to falling prey to the pitfall of picking and choosing sentences, therefore unknowingly omitting context.
Butker begins by congratulating and greeting the students, acknowledging the uniqueness of this class having wrestled “through all the adversity thrown your way from COVID.” He joked a little. He spoke immediately, too, of his Catholic faith. Butker is speaking to a small, conservative, Catholic, liberal arts school.
Notably, he said: “… Being Catholic alone doesn’t cut it. These are the sorts of things we are told in polite society to not bring up. You know, the difficult and unpleasant things. But if we are going to be men and women for this time in history, we need to stop pretending that the ‘Church of Nice’ is a winning proposition. We must always speak and act in charity, but never mistake charity for cowardice.”
He continued, questioning the inconsistencies he perceives in those who believe they are accurately living out the Catholic faith but don’t embrace, apply nor advocate for the specific teachings of the Catholic Church. He gets personal, speaking about himself, being a better father and husband, praying, too, for our leaders.
And then comes the part that prompted the masses to call for his firing as an NFL kicker. He separately addresses the men and the women. To the men, he encourages them to be “unapologetic” in their masculinity. “Do hard things. Never settle for what is easy.” And to the women, upon congratulating them once more, he adds: “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 that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I’m on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. 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. She is a primary educator to our children. She is the one who ensures I never let football or my business become a distraction from that of a husband and father. She is the person that knows me best at my core, and it is through our marriage that, Lord willing, we will both attain salvation. I say all of this to you because I have seen it firsthand how much happier someone can be when they disregard the outside noise and move closer and closer to God’s will in their life. Isabelle’s dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you asked her today if she has any regrets on her decision, she would laugh out loud, without hesitation, and say, ‘Heck, No.’”
Butker stated an opinion. His opinion. He did not call for all women to be homemakers. To a conservative, Catholic audience, he shared the joy his wife has found in her chosen vocation. That’s not wrong. But there’s a bigger societal pitfall that Butker tapped into. Many are unwilling to allow another to even hold an opinion that is different than theirs. There’s this foolish line of thinking that — and I admit, I question if this is a behavior of more the left or the right — but there’s this foolish line of thinking that suggests we have to squelch those opinions immediately, not allowing any traction or public expression. But it’s so inconsistent… so hypocritical. I mean… Did the same persons call to fire the other Chiefs?
Former star Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill was accused of punching his 3-year-old son in the chest; he’s had multiple domestic violence, child abuse, and paternity suits against him. Current Chiefs receiver Rashee Rice is right now being sued for $10 million for a 6-vehicle hit-and-run crash; he fled from the scene. These are clear indiscretions. So it’s only logical to ask: have those who expressed outrage at Butker also called for the dismissal of Hill and Rice? Are they consistent?
Or not?
Friends, one of the most damaging aspects of current day society is the arrogance we hold that allows us to think we can cancel the holder of an opinion we don’t agree with — that they shouldn’t be allowed to even think the way they do.
It is completely ok to disagree with Harrison Butker. It’s also ok to agree. Additionally, whether we like it or not, it is ok for Butker to feel the way he does… whether the same or different than me and you.
Have the conversation. Talk about the hard. Learn from the different. But the wise among us know that to lambast, mock or attempt to cancel says more about the maturity of the canceler than the actual holder of the opinion.
Respectfully…
AR