Posted on 05/26/2024 6:12:25 AM PDT by george76
Butker: 'Never be afraid to speak out for truth, even when it goes against the loudest voices'...
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made his first public remarks on Friday night following his viral commencement speech at a Catholic university that caused a leftist meltdown, stating that the “shocking level of hate” will not deter him from being “unapologetic” about his faith.
“If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now,” Butker said at the Courage Under Fire gala in Nashville, in support of a Catholic charity. “Over the past few days, my beliefs, or what people think I believe, have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe.”
“In my seven years in the NFL, I’ve become familiar with positive and negative comments. But the majority of them revolve around my performance on the field,” Butker said. “But, as to be expected, the more I’ve talked about what I value most, my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I’ve become. It’s a decision I’ve consciously made, and one I do not regret at all.”
The three-time Super Bowl champion kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs came under fire earlier this month after he delivered a speech at a Catholic university that criticized President Joe Biden for supporting abortion, as well as “the people pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.” He was also criticized for praising stay-at-home moms.
“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,” Butker said during the commencement speech, delivered at Benedictine College.
Though the comments were criticized on the Left — a Change.org petition called for the Chiefs to dismiss Butker for his remarks that it deemed “sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion, and racist” — he’s been embraced by teammates and the public. The veteran NFL player has won public support from his head coach Andy Reid, as well as star teammates Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones.
Butker’s jersey sales also skyrocketed following his commencement address as people rushed to NFL Shop, making Butker’s jersey one of the most popular in the entire league. Though the media showcased anger from women, his jersey actually sold out in women’s sizes.
He touched on the support during his Friday address. “As the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion,” Butker said.
Butker’s Friday night speech was followed by remarks from Daily Wire hosts Matt Walsh and Michael Knowles, among other speakers, at the “Courage Under Fire” event in Nashville. The charity event was hosted by Regina Caeli Academy — a classical homeschool hybrid academy for Catholic families. The event was sponsored by Bentkey, The Daily Wire’s kids entertainment streaming service.
“The theme for tonight’s gala, Courage Under Fire, was decided many months ago,” Butker said. “But it now feels providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these past two weeks.”
Butker, who is on the board of Regina Caeli Academy, delivered his speech before the main address, which was given by Walsh. Knowles and Walsh are both receiving the “Courage Under Fire Honorees in the Culture” award.
He said he hopes his response to the public criticism will embolden others to be courageous about their faith.
“For if heaven is our goal, we should embrace our cross, however large or small it may be, and live our life with joy, to be a bold witness for Christ,” Butker said.
“My hope is that tonight’s theme, and RCAs mission, will embolden others, that many more will be unapologetic of their Catholic faith and never be afraid to speak out for truth, even when it goes against the loudest voices,” Butker said.
“His big problem in that upper Catholic church leadership won’t support him.”
Not as much a problem as you might think. Ross Douthat had a good piece a couple days ago explaining that the Traditional Latin Mass subculture (of which Mr. Butker is now America’s most prominent example... and yours truly is America’s least prominent example, lol), is a lay-led movement that embraces perennial Catholic teachings and exists in spite of what the Catholic hierarchy says or does, not because of it.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/24/opinion/harrison-butker-catholicism.html
More Catholic than the pope.
Can you imagine the barrage he’d get if he apologized? You’d be handing them ammunition. They’d have no mercy, they’d hit you over the head until you’re homeless. They want you canceled, no matter who gets hurt - even if it is his family.
Good for him. This is what you do.
That’s right man, never be the victim. Victims only suffer and die. This is for God.
Has Mr. Taylor Swift weighed in yet?
Good for him
Don’t apologize to the fascists! Hold your ground and they will instead swarm around someone who bows down in submission and grovels.
“In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”-George Orwell
Good for him.
Is it time to support the United Football League?
Right on Harrison! God bless you.
This is the correct response
Good for him, and it is great that they have sold out of his jerseys!
Good!
Good news. We’ll see how much pressure the usual suspects bring to bear on the KC Chiefs management. Weirder things have happened.
““In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”-George Orwell”
I see you are reading Laz’s old newspapers!
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