Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made some controversial comments during a recent commencement address in which he criticized transgender people, mocked the LGBTQ community, spoke out against IVF and birth control methods, and suggested that women should be “homemakers.” But despite public outcry, it does not sound like he will be facing any punishment for his words.
During a press conference this week, Kansas City Chiefs head coach made it clear that he has no intention of punishing Harrison Butker or even addressing the controversial comments with him.
“I didn’t talk to him about this,” coach Andy Reid told reporters on Wednesday according to Pro Football Talk. “I didn’t think we need to. We’re a microcosm of life here. Everybody’s from different areas, different religions, different races. And so we all get along. We all respect each others opinions. And not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everybody to have a voice. It’s a great thing about America, man. And we’re just, like I said, a microcosm and . . . my wish is that everybody could kind of follow that.”
Obviously, the decision not to punish Butker for his comments led to a lot of reactions on social media.
There’s a fundamental misunderstanding of the power dynamics at play in what Reid is saying here, not to mention the tacit endorsement of what Butker said, and that’s extremely disappointing. https://t.co/YrZGBowcgR
— Jimmy Mack (@jcmack03) May 22, 2024
The guy accommodated his son’s alcoholism for his entire adult life. Why would anyone be surprised he won’t denounce a player
— Dan Cronin (@DanCronin18) May 23, 2024
He could have said nothing controversial, Andy. Could have just congratulated the graduates. Instead he got political and even took a shot at working women. Suck it up.
— RobFaus916 (@RobFaus916) May 23, 2024
@Chiefs leadership, total fail in this situation
— Jamie Kutzer (@jamiekutzer) May 23, 2024
Andy Reid should be taking shots at Harrison Butker to reporters tbh.
— Matthew Waite (@matthewswaite) May 23, 2024
Needless to say, anyone hoping for Reid to condemn his speech or punish him was quite disappointed.
