Current:Home > FinanceAlgosensey|Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce responds to Harrison Butker's commencement address -DataFinance
Algosensey|Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce responds to Harrison Butker's commencement address
Rekubit View
Date:2025-04-07 16:49:00
Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce weighed in on Algosenseyhis teammate Harrison Butker's controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College earlier this month.
Speaking on the Friday episode of his "New Heights" podcast with brother Jason Kelce, the tight end said he does not agree with "just about any" of Butker's views but cherishes him as a teammate.
"He's treated family and family that I've introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness. And that's how he treats everyone. When it comes down to his views and what he said at Saint Benedict's commencement speech, those are his," Kelce said. "I can't say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids. And I don't think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life, that's just not who I am."
Butker made waves in his address to graduates at Benedictine College when he suggested women should be homemakers, railed against LGBTQ+ Pride Month and took at President Joe Biden and abortion. His comments sparked widespread backlash and the NFL distanced itself from the kicker's comments.
"Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity," Jonathan Beane, the NFL's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer told CBS News in a statement. "His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."
While people online condemned his words, his jersey became one of the top-selling after the graduation.
Travis Kelce's comments echoed those of his chief teammate and three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mahomes said that while he doesn't agree with all the beliefs espoused by 28-year-old Butker, the Chiefs quarterback nevertheless respects his teammate's right to make them be known.
"I've known Harrison for seven years. I judge him by the character he shows every single day," Mahomes said after one of the Chiefs' voluntary practices in Kansas City, Missouri. "We're not always going to agree, and there are certain things he said that I don't necessarily agree with. But I know the person he is and he's doing what he can to lead people in the right direction."
Chiefs coach Andy Reid said that while he "talks to Harrison all the time," he didn't believe he needed to discuss the commencement address with his kicker when the team reconvened in Kansas City.
"We're a microcosm of life here," Reid said. "We're from some different areas. Different religions. Different races. But we get along. We all respect each others' opinions, and not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everyone to have a voice."
During Friday's podcast, Jason Kelce added: "There's always going to be opinions that everybody shares that you're going to disagree with.
"And make no mistake about it, a lot of the things he said in his commencement speech are not things that I align myself with. But, he's giving a commencement speech at a Catholic university, and, shocker, it ended up being a very religious and Catholic speech.
"To me, I can listen to somebody talk and take great value in it, like when he's talking about the importance of family and the importance that a great mother can make, while also acknowledging that not everybody has to be a homemaker if that's not what they want to do in life."
- In:
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Travis Kelce
Lucia Suarez Sang is an associate managing editor at CBSNews.com. Previously, Lucia was the director of digital content at FOX61 News in Connecticut and has previously written for outlets including FoxNews.com, Fox News Latino and the Rutland Herald.
TwitterveryGood! (18458)
Related
- Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
- In Fracking Downturn, Sand Mining Opponents Not Slowing Down
- Obama Rejects Keystone XL on Climate Grounds, ‘Right Here, Right Now’
- Kim Kardashian Defends Her American Horror Story Acting Role Amid Criticism
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- Flash Deal: Save 67% On Top-Rated Peter Thomas Roth Anti-Aging Skincare
- An E. coli outbreak possibly linked to Wendy's has expanded to six states
- Today’s Climate: May 22-23, 2010
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- This Mexican clinic is offering discreet abortions to Americans just over the border
Ranking
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Today’s Climate: May 25, 2010
- Water Source for Alberta Tar Sands Drilling Could Run Dry
- Apple event: What to know about its Vision Pro virtual reality headset release
- Intel's stock did something it hasn't done since 2022
- 20 AAPI-Owned Makeup & Skincare Brands That Should Be in Your Beauty Bag
- Seeing God’s Hand in the Deadly Floods, Yet Wondering about Climate Change
- Today’s Climate: May 5, 2010
Recommendation
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
Jennifer Lopez Shares How Her Twins Emme and Max Are Embracing Being Teenagers
A Coal-Mining Environmentalist? Virginia Executive Says He Can Be Both
This Bestselling $9 Concealer Has 114,000+ 5-Star Amazon Reviews
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Not Sure What to Wear Under Low Cut, Backless Looks? Kim Kardashian's SKIMS Drops New Shapewear Solutions
Teresa Giudice Says She's Praying Every Day for Ex Joe Giudice's Return to the U.S.
Today’s Climate: May 31, 2010