Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered a commencement address at Benedictine College where he criticized Pride Month and church leaders. He urged the graduating class to stop accepting the societal norms around them and emphasized the importance of true, God-centered pride.
Butker’s comments on Pride Month drew criticism from LGBT activist Justice Horn, who expressed disapproval on social media. Despite this pushback, Butker encouraged students to stand up for Catholic teachings and not be afraid to speak the truth, even when it goes against popular beliefs of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The football star also called out priests for not living up to higher standards and criticized the church’s handling of the pandemic. He highlighted the need for true leadership and lamented the loss of access to sacraments for many during the pandemic.
In addition, Butker targeted hypocritical Catholics who promote dangerous ideologies and stressed the importance of addressing difficult and unpleasant truths rather than conforming to a “Church of nice” mentality.