Harrison Butker is the focus of a couple of Change.org online petitions, one of which wants to see him released by the Kansas City Chiefs. The other wants to keep cheering him on as some people claim his statements were just “Catholic beliefs.”
Butker infamously gave a commencement speech at Benedictine College last weekend, in which he attacked the gays and trans people, while telling the women in the audience they will be most happy abandoning their career aspirations and becoming homemakers.
The NFL has even come out publicly against what he said.
The first petition, to get him released, has over 192,000 signatures as of Friday morning. It demands the Kansas City Chiefs dismiss Harrison Butker for discriminatory remarks.
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“We demand accountability from our sports figures who should be role models promoting respect for all people regardless of their race, gender identity or sexual orientation. We call upon the Kansas City Chiefs management to dismiss Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate conduct.”
The other petition, to keep him on the team and show him support, has 12,000.
“Contrary to the irrational beliefs by those trying to cancel Harrison Butker, he is not calling for or ‘fostering harm’ to folks who identify as LGBTQ, women or Biden supporters,” the supportive petition reads. “Now is the time to stand up together for an athlete that doesn’t bow down to the threats of the intolerant Left.”
Ultimately, it would be shocking to see the Chiefs release him. NFL teams are well-known for looking past indiscretions by players. Players have said and done dumb stuff, even harmful things, for decades. I can’t think of the last one who was let go by a team for speech.
Plus, Butker is a big contributor to the Chiefs on the field. He’s helped them win three Super Bowls, he’s been the league’s scoring leader one season, and he has some Super Bowl records.
The chances of him being released by the Chiefs are about zero. Though at some point he and the team are going to have to address this. His comments, particularly those about women in the workplace, have been a P.R. nightmare, and a fanbase that is increasingly made up of women, deserves an explanation.
