Harrison Butker ‘homemaker’ speech sparks backlash

Kansas City Chiefs star Harrison Butker has faced criticism for attacking abortion rights and telling women graduates that one of their most important roles in life is “homemaker”.

The three-time Super Bowl winner’s comments were among a number of views he gave during a 20-minute commencement speech at Benedictine College, Kansas.

The Chiefs have not commented and the NFL said it was a “personal” matter.

However, more than 100,000 people signed a petition for his dismissal.

In his speech on May 11, the three-times Super Bowl winner addressed women graduates in the crowd, telling them they had been told “the most diabolical lies”.

“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,” he said.

Butker added that his wife’s life “truly started” when “she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother”.

The 28-year-old then added that his wife embraced “one of the most important titles of all: homemaker”.

His speech at the Catholic private college also attacked IVF, surrogacy, Pride marches, “degenerate cultural values”, “dangerous gender ideologies” and abortion rights.

“Our nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but … has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies,” he said.