Kansas City Chiefs player Harrison Butker is under Swiftie fire after a controversial commencement speech.
The team's kicker is being slammed for having misogynistic, homophobic, and transphobic views throughout his commencement speech at Benedictine College over the weekend. During the lecture, he mentioned his "teammate's girlfriend," who happens to be Taylor Swift.
The acknowledgement of the "Fortnight" singer came when he addressed Catholic bishops who take too much pleasure "from the adulation they receive from their parishioners."
"This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time," Butker said, smiling. "Because as my teammate's girlfriend says, 'Familiarity breeds contempt.'"
The short line references the Midnights track "Bejeweled." Fans of the Grammy-winner were enraged when Butker went on to address the women of the audience, whom he says "have had the most diabolical lies told to you."
"How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all of the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career?" 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."
After quoting Swift, an unmarried, childless, musical artist who has amassed a net worth of over a billion dollars throughout her career, Butker went on to say that being a homemaker "is one of the most important titles of all."
"I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother," he stated. "Isabelle's dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you ask her today if she has any regrets on her decision, she would laugh out loud without hesitation, and say, 'Heck no.'"
Throughout his 20 minute address, Butker goes on to criticize Joe Biden, Pride Month, and abortion rights, all subjects that Swift has publicly supported in recent years.
The speech caught fire throughout the internet, with some Swifties pointing out the irony of Butker encouraging women to stay home, while quoting an independently successful artist like Swift.
"I dare Harrison Butker to tell Taylor Swift she has no value unless she is a wife, mother, and homemaker," one X account posted.
I dare Harrison Butker to tell Taylor Swift she has no value unless she is a wife, mother, and homemaker. pic.twitter.com/i32ez5fsSt
— mimi ✨🎧🦋🫶🏻 (@watchinwisteria) May 14, 2024
"Just saw the Harrison Butker speech. Telling an entire graduating class of women that they wasted the last 4 years of their life and that they should be focused on their husbands and future children is diabolical. Following it up by quoting Taylor Swift is COMPLETELY UNHINGED," another account posted.
Other fans of the Chiefs noted that while they had previously been aware of the player's political beliefs, his kicking skills are instrumental to the team's success.
All the non-Chiefs Swifties finding out about Harrison Butker’s politics… yes we already knew this. We sadly still need him to make the kicks
— keely (@keelyannb) May 14, 2024
Chiefs teammates have also been questioned about the kicker's stances in the past, with Patrick Mahomes revealing on the Pat McAfee Show after their recent Super Bowl win that he does not have as close of a relationship with Butker.
"Honestly, I don't talk to Harrison all year long, man. I just let him do his thing," the quarterback said. "But I know if I can just cross that 40, man, if I cross that 40, he's going to put it through there. I know if you saw in the game I got a little pressure, threw it short and knew Harrison was going to knock it through."
