Getty Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at Allegiant Stadium on November 26, 2023.
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker sent a strong message while addressing students at Benedictine College over the weekend. After Butker’s May 11 commencement speech went viral on X, the comments made about his wife, Isabelle, raised some eyebrows.
“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you,” Butker, 28, said at the small Catholic school in Atchison, Kansas. “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 her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother,” he said. “I’m on this stage today, able to be the man that I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation.
Catholic Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs on his wife Isabel
All of my success is made possible because a girl I met in middle school would convert to the faith become my wife and embrace one of the most important titles of all- home maker
“I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all 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.”
Butker, who married Isabelle in 2018, had deleted all photos of his wife on Instagram and X. In 2017, after the couple got engaged, Butker credited Isabelle for making him “a better man,” but that post no longer exists.
Catholic Harrison Butker of Kansas City Chiefs on his wife Isabel
All of my success is made possible because a girl I met in middle school would convert to the faith become my wife and embrace one of the most important titles of all- home maker
Isabelle (née Tehrani) earned degrees in computer science and Spanish from Tennessee’s Rhodes College, where she played on the basketball team. During an appearance on “The Unraveled Podcast” in 2022, Isabelle described herself as an “independent” person before reconnecting with Butker in college and committing to Catholicism. The Butkers share two children together.
Harrison Butker’s Controversial Comments Sparked Backlash
In his speech, Butker also decried Pride Month and Catholics who support abortion rights. Outsports’ Cyd Zeigler tweeted, “Pretty awful to hear an NFL player so proudly tell women to “stay in their lane,” serve their man and make babies. Not to mention comparing Pride month to a ‘deadly sin’ and lobbing bombs at the trans community. Not a fan.”
Pretty awful to hear an NFL player so proudly tell women to “stay in their lane,” serve their man and make babies.
Not to mention comparing Pride month to a “deadly sin” and lobbing bombs at the trans community.
Not a fan.
One fan posted, “I’m incredibly disappointed in Harrison Butker’s commencement speech. I’ve always been a fan of him on the field, but I can’t support this. And while it isn’t the only awful thing he said, if my husband said my life began when I become his wife, I’d commit a violent crime.”
I’m incredibly disappointed in Harrison Butker’s commencement speech. I’ve always been a fan of him on the field, but I can’t support this
And while it isn’t the only awful thing he said, if my husband said my life began when I become his wife, I’d commit a violent crime
Another fan posted, “I take back every nice thing I’ve ever said about Harrison Butker. Hope he misses all the vital kicks for the chiefs this season. This is absolutely disgusting. To say that a women’s life doesn’t start until she becomes a wife or mother in the year 2024 is INSANE and DELUSIONAL AF.”
Arrowhead Report’s Zach Dimmit wrote, “There is much to be debated here. But no matter what side one might be on.. It is worth noting that not every family has the good fortune to survive with just one breadwinner, let alone one who makes $4 million per year, as Butker does.”
The Los Angeles Chargers trolled Butker in the end credits of their schedule release video on May 15. They used a Sims character in a No. 7 jersey to show Butker in the kitchen baking a pie and preparing a bouquet.
One woman posted, “Butker is beyond tone deaf if he thinks the majority of college students can not only raise a family on a single income but that all women only have an aspiration to be a mom. Glad your wife adopted your faith for a free ride in life. Most dont play a game for millions.”
Harrison Butker is beyond tone deaf if he thinks the majority of college students can not only raise a family on a single income but that all women only have an aspiration to be a mom. Glad your wife adopted your faith for a free ride in life. Most dont play a game for millions.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes & TE Travis Kelce Show Support Toward Women’s Careers
“I’d like to raise a glass to a new era in sports. An era when the women’s game is finally getting the attention it deserves,” said Patrick Mahomes in his TIME100 Gala toast.
While Butker’s speech received a ton of support from conservatives, numerous observers grappled over Butker’s latest comments — with USA Today’s Scooby Axson interpreting them as “telling women to get back in the kitchen.”
And not all Chiefs players appear to share the same view on gender roles. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes proudly brags about his wife Brittany‘s being the co-owner of the KC Current soccer team and elevating women’s sports.
Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce was in Paris over the weekend, cheering and singing along to girlfriend Taylor Swift‘s “Female Rage: The Musical.” Kelce has expressed nothing but support for Swift being one of the most successful pop stars of all time.
Speaking to EWTN in March, Butker said of Kelce and Swift, “I hope they get married and start a family.” He recalled giving the same advice to students graduating from Georgia Tech last year.