LifeSiteNews
2024-05-28
In his first public appearance since enduring relentless attacks from mainstream media outlets for his pro-family commencement address last week, Kansas City Chiefs' kicker Harrison Butker showed no sign of backing down, declaring that the "shocking level of hate" is a clear sign that "timeless Catholic values are hated by many."
The three-time Super Bowl champion delivered his latest remarks at a fundraising event in Nashville for the Regina Caeli Academy (RCA), a classical preK-12 homeschool hybrid for Catholic families. Butker serves on the academy's board.
"The theme for tonight's gala, 'Courage Under Fire,' was decided many months ago," began the tuxedoed Butker, "but it now feels providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these past two weeks."
"If it wasn't clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now," he said, referring to the storm of criticism against his earlier speech at Benedictine College.
'It is not people, but Jesus Christ who I am trying to please'
During last week's 20-minute address at Benedictine, Butker unapologetically pushed back against abortion as well as so-called Pride Month, which he called a "deadly sin." He singled out President Joe Biden, cowardly U.S. Catholic bishops, and "people pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America."