If you've spent any time scrolling social media the last few weeks, then you've probably seen clips of a commencement address in which Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker speaks to Benedictine College graduates and their families and friends, touching on subjects including "failed leadership," the pandemic, abortion, gender identity, the Catholic faith, and "the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion."
"It is safe to say that over the past few years I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind," he said in his address.
"For the ladies present day, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. … 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. How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you're 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."
A university record 485 students walked across the stage on May 11 to graduate and earn their degrees, after many years of late-night study sessions and hard work. More than half of Benedictine's students are women, and it is rated among Kansas' top schools for nursing, a field where more than 85 percent are women.
The NFL's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, said "[Butker's] views are not those of the NFL as an organization" and that it is "steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."
"The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker's comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested," an order of nuns affiliated with Benedictine College stated via Facebook.
"We want to be known as an inclusive, welcoming community, embracing Benedictine values that have endured for more than 1,500 years and have spread through every continent and nation," they added.