NFL Player Faces Backlash After Advocating for Women to Be Homemakers

Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker faced backlash after praising the role of homemaker during a commencement address at Benedictine College on May 11.

‘Diabolical lies’: Speaking directly to the women graduates for a moment, Butker said they had been told some of “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. I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.
—Harrison Butker

Butker went on to praise his wife, attributing his success as a man and father to the fact that his wife has embraced her role as a homemaker.

He also criticized lgbtq pride and the push to legalize abortion.

Backlash: National Football League (nfl) officials came out and said Butker’s speech did not align with nfl beliefs but reflected his personal opinions.

[Butker’s] 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.
—Jonathan Beane, nfl senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer

The three-time Super Bowl champion now faces a petition signed by nearly 160,000 people calling for him to be fired. Others say his words cannot be trusted.

It is no longer acceptable in society to tell young women they should embrace their potential to be wives, mothers and homemakers. Our nation has forgotten the benefits of women working in the home.

Learn more: Read “How Homemakers Help the Economy.”