'A PLACE OF LOVE'
Kansas City Chiefs star Harrison Butker breaks silence for first time since controversial speech and says ‘I love women’
Tennis icon Serena Williams was among those to call out Butker's comments
NFL star Harrison Butker has doubled down on his controversial comments regarding women's role in society.
The kicker, 29, was thrust into the national spotlight earlier this year following a commencement address at a Kansas college graduation.
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Butker gave the speech to a group of graduates at Benedictine College in May.
He used the platform to call out abortion, Pride Month, and other cultural issues.
Butker also told female graduates to "lean into their vocation" as wives and mothers and said males should "fight against the cultural emasculation of men."
The address drew ire from many inside the NFL, including senior vice president Jonathan Beane.
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"Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity," Beane said in May.
Butker was asked about his comments on Wednesday after penning a new deal with the Chiefs.
The 29-year-old doubled down on his remarks, telling reporters his comments came from a "place of love", via ESPN.
"I'm going to stand behind what it is I'm saying,'' Butker said.
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"I kind of look at the offseason as a little bit of a maybe five-month period where I can just represent me as Harrison Butker as a faithful Catholic.
"And then obviously when it gets to the season, I try to focus as much as I can on football and not being a distraction for the Chiefs."
Serena Williams tells Harrison Butker 'we don't need you' during ESPYs speech right in front of Kansas City Chiefs star
Tennis icon Serena Williams was among those to condemn Butker's remarks.
She and sister Venus told the NFL star "we don't need you" as they hosted the ESPYs last month, with Butker watching on in the audience.
"I've appreciated all the feedback," Butker continued.
"I say that [women] should embrace and love being wives and being mothers over their career.
Butker's most controversial remarks from speech
The NFL has distanced themselves from the comments
Harrison Butker's commencement speech at Benedictine College has gone viral after he spoke out on abortion, Pride month, and Covid-19 lockdown measures.
An outspoken Catholic, the NFL kicker urged students to stay on the path of righteousness and religion during his address.
Butker took a swipe at President Biden for supporting abortion rights which he labelled as the "murder of innocent babies".
"Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder," he continued.
"Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally."
Butker went on to call Pride month a "deadly sin," and suggested it promoted "dangerous gender ideologies."
He also singled out female graduates in the audience and told them they had been told "diabolical lies."
"For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment," he began.
"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.
"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."
The NFL has since responded, saying: "[Butker's] views are not those of the NFL as an organization."
"I think then it gets construed that I'm trying to put women down, which I'm not at all."
"l love women, I love my wife," he added.
"She has sacrificed so much for me. She has completely changed her life around.
"And she has made sure she is focused on being the ultimate wife and the ultimate mother.
"I see how happy and excited she is day to day to wake up and embrace that life."
Butker recently penned a bumper new contract extension with the Chiefs ahead of their threepeat challenge.
The four-year, $25.6 million deal makes the 29-year-old the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
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"There's no place I'd rather be than with the Chiefs, excited to finalize a 4-year extension. To the Heights!" Butker wrote on X on Monday after representing himself in negotiations.
Butker's contract is worth $6.4 million every year until 2028.