Harrison Bakker retracts controversial remarks about women

Harrison Butker is not retracting any of his controversial graduation speech.

Speaking to local media at the Kansas City Chiefs training camp this week, the kicker was, of course, asked to comment on the furor his speech caused in May and the weeks since.

"I appreciate all the feedback," he told reporters in a video shared on X.

"It's the off-season," he said. It's the off-season and I was really curious what people would have to say back to me for stating so many of these things, and I respected all viewpoints."

Although he said he considered opinions that differed from his own, Bakker did not change his position after giving the speech. The NFL pro explained, "As far as what I said, I prayed about it, I thought about it, I meant what I said, and I stand by what I said."

Asked to address people's concerns about how he views the role of women in society, Butker replied, "My whole career, before it came to me as a kicker, I've talked about being a husband and a father. [But] when I use that to talk about women, I tell them that they should embrace and love being a wife and a mother more than their career. I think that would be interpreted as me trying to demean women. I love women and I love my wife.

He went on to say that his wife Isabelle "has sacrificed a lot for me," adding that "she has dedicated herself to being the ultimate wife and the ultimate mother."

Butker has made many enemies, deeming his commencement speech at Benedictine Catholic University's Benedictine College this past May to be "misogynistic," "homophobic," and "transphobic."

His remarks about women especially infuriated people. He spoke directly to female graduates." I wonder how many of you sitting here now, about to cross this stage, are thinking about promotions and titles." He continued, "Some of you may be on your way to a successful career in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most looking forward to marriage and the children you will bring into the world.

The internet has been critical of Butker, and the NFL has stated, "His views are not the views of the NFL as an organization; the NFL is committed to inclusion, and that makes the league stronger."

Butker's views are not the views of the NFL as an organization; the NFL is committed to inclusion, and that makes the league stronger.

Notables such as Maria Shriver, Hoda Kotb, Katy Perry, and Serena Williams strongly disagreed with Bakker's words.