On Friday, May 24, Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker appeared in public for the first time since his Benedictine College commencement speech and showed zero regret for what he said during that speech, saying that he wouldn’t back down from his positions because he strives to please God, not man. His comments came at the Regina Caeli Academy’s “Courage Under Fire Gala” in Nashville.
The Regina Caeli Academy, according to its website, “encourages [its] students to strive for excellence in academics as well as in virtuous living, self-discipline, and accountability through a classical education taught in light of the Catholic tradition.”
As background during his Benedictine College commencement address, Butker angered many when he encouraged the women present to see the importance of being a homemaker. Beginning, he said women had been lied to, saying, “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. 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.”
Continuing, he explained how his wife’s decision to be a homemaker rather than a cog in a corporate machine was a highly impactful one, saying, “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? 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.”
Describing how her decision significantly helped their family, he said, “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.”
Refusing to back down from those positions at the gala speech, Butcker said, Fox News Digital reports, “The theme for tonight’s gala, Courage Under Fire, was decided many months ago, but it now feels providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these last two weeks. If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now.”
He continued, “Our love for Jesus, and thus, our desire to speak out, should never be outweighed by the longing of our fallen nature to be loved by the world. Glorifying God and not ourselves should always remain our motivation despite any pushback, or even support. I lean on those closest to me for guidance, but I can never forget that it is not people, but Jesus Christ who I’m trying to please.”
He added, speaking about how the sacrifices of the saints inspire him, “If I constantly remind myself of the hardships the saints went through, especially the martyrs in their persecution, it makes it all seem not so bad. For if Heaven is our goal, we should embrace our cross, however large or small it may be, and live our life with joy to be a bold witness to Christ.”
Further, Butker said, “My hope is tonight’s theme and RCA’s mission will embolden others that many more will be unapologetic of their Catholic faith and never be afraid to speak out for truth, even when it goes against the loudest voices. In the end, being courageous starts with the small things. Being disliked and mischaracterized by some is nothing compared to finding yourself in a lion’s den.”
Watch him here:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video
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