USA TODAY US Edition

Kicker lauds wife’s role as ‘homemaker’

- Scooby Axson

Kansas City Chiefs placekicke­r Harrison Butker used his platform as a commenceme­nt speaker at Benedictin­e College last weekend to attack Pride Month and transgende­r people, the coronaviru­s pandemic, while also telling women to get back in the kitchen.

Benedictin­e College is a Catholic private liberal arts school in Atchison, Kansas, and Butker used his 20 minutes on stage to opine his thoughts, starting with Pride Month and what he called “dangerous gender ideologies.”

“Not the deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it,” Butker said, “but the true God-centered pride that is cooperatin­g with the holy ghost to glorify him.”

Pride Month has been celebrated in June since 1969.

Butker also shared his thoughts on COVID-19, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

“While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” Butker said during his commenceme­nt address.

“The bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for the degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiven­ess of disorder.”

Women were also under scrutiny by Butker.

“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and a mother. I’m on this stage, and able to be the man I am, because I have a wife who leans into her vocation,” Butker said.

“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.”

Those who didn’t fit in that category, Butker had more words for them.

“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you,” he said. “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.”

Butker has been with the Chiefs since 2017 and has won three Super Bowl championsh­ips. He holds records for the longest field goal in a Super Bowl and career field goals in the Super Bowl with nine.

 ?? MARK J. REBILAS/USA TODAY SPORTS ?? Harrison Butker holds two records for field goals in the Super Bowl.
MARK J. REBILAS/USA TODAY SPORTS Harrison Butker holds two records for field goals in the Super Bowl.

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