Travis Kelce’s teammate quotes Taylor Swift while criticising working women and Pride

16 May, 2024

Harrison Butkler and Taylor Swift. Credit Jason Hanna and Kevin Mazur via GETTY

Travis Kelce’s teammate Harrison Butker has quoted Taylor Swift while criticising working women and Pride in a speech.

Butker – the Kansas City Chiefs kicker – recently delivered a controversial commencement speech during Benedictine College’s graduation ceremony which has sparked backlash on social media.

In the speech, the athlete deprecated the “diabolical lies told to women” about topics including abortion, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surrogacy, President Joe Biden and “bad policies and poor leadership”.

“It is safe to say that over the years, I have gained quite the reputation for speaking my mind,” Butker began in his address, adding later on: “Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerative cultural values in media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.”

Butker then went on to quote a lyric from Swift’s track ‘Bejeweled’ from her 2022 LP ‘Midnights’. He referred to the pop star through Kelce – who is Swift’s boyfriend, calling the singer his “teammate’s girlfriend”.

“As my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘familiarity breeds contempt’,” Butker said. He followed that by addressing the women in the room.

“For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment,” he began. “I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.”

Butker continued: “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.”

Later in his speech, the Chiefs kicker went on to address the male graduates by advising them to “be unapologetic in your masculinity” and to “fight against the cultural emasculation of men”. He also hit out at the LGBTQ+ community, calling their pride “deadly sins”.

The speech has earned Butker major backlash on social media with Swift fans taking to Reddit to express their discontent. One user wrote: “I read the whole speech – wanted to stop but couldn’t. It’s a goddamn trainwreck. My jaw literally dropped more than once. Maybe Taylor can manifest an end to this POS career that he feels so “blessed” about.”

Another person said: “As his “teammate’s girlfriend” says, ‘no deal, the 1950s shit they want from me’. Hope this helps,” quoting the lyrics from Swift’s ‘Midnights’ track ‘Lavender Haze’.

“This is an instance in which I FULLY support Swifties verbally attacking someone and making their life a living hell. Let’s go, girls,” another user wrote.

The NFL has weighed in on Butkler’s speech and shared that his views differ from those of the organisation.

In a statement shared to PEOPLE, Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer said: “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”

Former Kansas City commissioner Justice Horn called out Butker on X/Twitter, writing: “Harrison Butker doesn’t represent Kansas City nor has he ever. Kansas City has always been a place that welcomes, affirms, and embraces our LGBTQ+ community members.”

“One of the worst parts of this NFL player’s awful speech is that he quoted a Taylor Swift song before telling women they should be homemakers and serve their man’s career,” OutSports wrote in a tweet on X/Twitter.

In other news, It was revealed that Swift‘s ‘Eras Tour’ is expected to boost the UK economy by £1billion when it visits these shores this summer.

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