Travis Kelce has broken his silence on Harrison Butker's recent commencement speech that sparked controversy and backlash, insisting that he won't 'judge' his teammate based on his beliefs.
- May 24, 2024
AceShowbiz - Travis Kelce recently weighed in on his Kansas City Chiefs teammate Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College. The tight end addressed the issue on his "New Heights" podcast, which he hosts with his brother Jason Kelce, on May 24.
Harrison Butker's speech, delivered on May 11 at the Catholic liberal arts college, drew significant backlash for his outspoken views on birth control, abortion, IVF, and the importance of traditional family roles. Butker advocated for women prioritizing stay-at-home roles over careers, which many found contentious.
While Travis Kelce made it clear that he does not align with Butker's ideologies, he emphasized his admiration and respect for Butker as a teammate and individual. "He's treated friends and family that I've introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness, and that's how he treats everyone," Kelce said.
"When it comes down to his views and what he said at the [Benedictine College] commencement speech, those are his views. I can't say I agree with the majority of it -- or just about any of it-- outside of just him loving his family or his kids."
Kelce credited his upbringing in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, for shaping his open-minded perspective. He highlighted that growing up in a diverse environment allowed him to appreciate people from different social classes, religions, races, and ethnicities without judgment.
"I appreciated every single one of those people for different reasons, and I never once had to feel like I needed to judge them based on their beliefs," Kelce shared. He also praised his parents, Donna and Ed Kelce, for their supportive and balanced approach to parenting.
Joining Kelce in defending Butker's character, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes echoed similar sentiments earlier in the week. Mahomes acknowledged the diversity of perspectives within the team's locker room, emphasizing the importance of respecting differing opinions.
"When you're in the locker room, there's a lot of people from a lot of different areas of life," Mahomes said. "There are certain things that he said I don't necessarily agree with but I understand the person that he is, and he's trying to do whatever he can to lead people in the right direction."
Despite the support from his teammates, Butker's comments did not go unchallenged. Former Kansas City commissioner Justice Horn and a group of nuns associated with Benedictine College publicly criticized the speech, asserting that it did not represent the inclusive values of the community.
The NFL also distanced itself from Butker's remarks. Jonathan Beane, the league's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, reaffirmed the NFL's commitment to inclusion in a statement, saying, "Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization."
As the discussions continue, it remains evident that the Chiefs' community, while varied in opinion, values the character and relationships built within the team. Kelce, Mahomes, and other teammates have shown that while they may not agree with Butker's views, they respect him as a person and a colleague.
