Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is demanding accountability from the city of Kansas City, Missouri, after its official X account partially doxxed KC Chiefs player Harrison Butker following his faith-based commencement speech at a Catholic college over the weekend.
During his 20-minute address, the conservative Catholic kicker urged female graduates to embrace their vocation as a homemaker, outraging feminists and leftists.
“For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives,” he said at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, Saturday.
“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 are 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.”
“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I’m on this stage today and able to be the man that I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of 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.”
As American Greatness reported on Monday, Butker also blasted Joe Biden for being “delusional enough to make the Sign of The Cross during a pro-abortion rally.”
Butker went on to ruffle the feathers of LGBTQ activists and supporters by slamming Catholic leaders for “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.” And he encouraged graduates to have Catholic pride— “not the deadly sin sort of pride that has an entire month dedicated to it.”
Wading into the DEI debate, he said: “The world around us says that we should keep our beliefs to ourselves whenever they go against the tyranny of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Butker indicated that he knew his conservative views could make waves, but insisted that he was a reluctant cultural crusader.
“It is safe to say that over the past few years, I’ve gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind. I never envisioned it for myself, nor wanted to have this sort of a platform, but God has given it to me, so I have no other choice but to embrace it,” he said.
As video of the full speech (below) shows, Butker received an enthusiastic standing ovation from graduates and other attendees after his remarks.
Two things.
1. Stand with Harrison Butker who spoke up so courageously in a culture that condemns Catholic & conservative values.
2. Share his FULL speech, so the left can’t edit it in a way to fit their agenda & attack Butker.
— Kristan Hawkins (@KristanHawkins) May 16, 2024
After word got out about Butker’s wholesome, faith-based message, however, leftists across the country were filled with rage.
A Change.org petition set up on Monday to pressure the Chiefs into dismissing Butker garnered nearly 140,000 signatures by Thursday afternoon.
“The harmful remarks made by Harrison Butker, kicker of the Kansas City Chiefs, during his commencement address at Benedictine College were unacceptable,” wrote the petition’s creator, Willard Harris. “His comments were sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion and racist. These dehumanizing remarks against LGBTQ+ individuals, attacks on abortion rights and racial discrimination perpetuate division and undermine human rights.”
The NFL buckled somewhat, distancing itself from the speech, and espousing its “commitment to inclusion.”
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” Jonathan Beane, the league’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, said. “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.”
On Wednesday, the official X account for the city of KCMO, wrote a bizarre and spiteful post saying, “Just a reminder, Harrison Butker lives in the city of _____.”
After a backlash, the account deleted the post, writing: “We apologies [sic] for our previous tweet. It was shared in error.”
We apologies for our previous tweet. It was shared in error.
— Kansas City (@KansasCity) May 16, 2024
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (D) addressed the issue in a separate post, calling it “clearly inappropriate.”
“A message appeared earlier this evening from a City public account. The message was clearly inappropriate for a public account. The City has correctly apologized for the error, will review account access, and ensure nothing like it is shared in the future from public channels.”
A message appeared earlier this evening from a City public account.
The message was clearly inappropriate for a public account. The City has correctly apologized for the error, will review account access, and ensure nothing like it is shared in the future from public channels.
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) May 16, 2024
Thursday afternoon, Missouri AG Bailey weighed in, writing on X: “My office is demanding accountability after @KansasCity doxxed @buttkicker7 last night for daring to express his religious beliefs.”
Bailey added: “I will enforce the Missouri Human Rights Act to ensure Missourians are not targeted for their free exercise of religion.”
BREAKING: My office is demanding accountability after@KansasCity doxxed @buttkicker7 last night for daring to express his religious beliefs.
I will enforce the Missouri Human Rights Act to ensure Missourians are not targeted for their free exercise of religion.
Stay tuned.
— Attorney General Andrew Bailey (@AGAndrewBailey) May 16, 2024
In a post on X, “Canceled” Bishop Strickland offered Butker his support and prayers.
“Thank you Harrison for speaking truth, it is no surprise that some are reacting with extreme negativity, too many today hate the Truth & merely want “their” truth which is not truth at all,” Strickland said. “You are in my prayers.”
Thank you Harrison for speaking truth, it is no surprise that some are reacting with extreme negativity, too many today hate the Truth & merely want “their” truth which is not truth at all. You are in my prayers. https://t.co/EQYTH7ah2C
— Bishop J. Strickland (@BishStrickland) May 16, 2024
“Never more proud to call Harrison Butker my friend,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).
Never more proud to call Harrison Butker my friend pic.twitter.com/JVT8oXhl34
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) May 16, 2024
Update:
Butker’s Chief’s jersey on Thursday emerged as one of the NFL’s best-selling jerseys, reportedly surpassing even the Chief’s star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
According to https://t.co/ILb5kXU426, Harrison Butker jersey sales are among the most popular right now…even higher than Patrick Mahomes. pic.twitter.com/GAr0U9IRSL
— Greg Dailey (@GregDaileyNews) May 16, 2024
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