Travis Kelce reacts to Chiefs teammate Harrison Butker’s opening speech

Travis Kelce gives his take on Kansas City Chiefs teammate Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech earlier this month at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

Kelce opened up on the topic, echoing that he shares the same sentiment as their most high-profile teammate, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who spoke publicly about the speech earlier this week.

“I cherish him as a teammate. I think Pat said it best where he’s a great person and a great teammate,” Kelce said on the May 24 episode of his “New Heights” podcast that he hosts with his brother, Jason Kelce.

“He treated the family and family I introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness. And that’s how he treats everyone. As for his opinions and what he said during the opening speech of Saint Benedict, they are his own. I can’t say I agree with the majority of things or just about anything other than the simple fact that he loves his family and his children. And I don’t think I should judge him on his views, especially his religious views, on how to live life, that’s just not who I am.

Kelce then went on to say that his childhood in Ohio influenced the way he viewed others.

“I grew up in a beautiful upbringing of different social classes, different religions, different races and ethnicities, in Cleveland Heights, and that’s why I love Cleveland Heights for what it was,” he said. -he declares.

“It showed me a broad spectrum, just a broad view of many different backgrounds. And I liked each of these people for different reasons, and I never felt the need to judge them based on their beliefs.

He said both his parents, Donna and Ed Kelce, took care of the family home.

“My mom and dad made their house what it was,” the NFL star continued. “They were homemakers and caregivers and they were amazing to be there every day of my life. It was a great education for me. I don’t think everyone should do it like my parents did, but I certainly, of course, thank my parents and I love my parents for being able to provide for them and make sure that this home be what it was because I am not. the same person without them both being who they were in my life.

Jason Kelce said he appreciated hearing from people who really know the person at the center of the story, while pointing out that Butker gave his speech in a religious environment.

“There will always be opinions that everyone shares that you don’t agree with,” he said.

“And make no mistake, a lot of the things he said in his opening speech are not things I align with. But he gives a commencement speech at a Catholic university and, shockingly, it turns out to be a very religious and Catholic speech.

“For me, I can listen to someone speak and value it, like when they talk about the importance of family and how important a great mother can be, while recognizing that everyone don’t have to be a housewife if that’s not what they want to do in life.

Days before the brothers’ podcast episode, Mahomes became the first Chiefs player to weigh in on the controversy, which generated numerous conversations and led to severe backlash.

“When you’re in the locker room, there’s a lot of people from different walks of life,” the three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback told reporters at the Chiefs’ training complex in Kansas City on May 22.

“They have very different views on everything, and we won’t always agree. And he said some things that I don’t necessarily agree with, but I understand the person he is and he tries to do everything he can to lead people in the right direction.

“And they may not be the same values ​​as mine,” he added. “But at the same time, I’m going to judge him on the character he shows every day and he’s a great person. And we’ll continue to move forward and try to help each other get better every day.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid also amplified the fact that not everyone has the same view.

“I talk to Harrison all the time. I didn’t talk to him about that. I didn’t think we needed it,” he said at a press conference. “We are a microcosm of life, everyone comes from different regions, different religions, different races. We we all hear. We all respect each other’s opinions and we don’t necessarily follow them, but we respect that everyone can express themselves. That’s the great thing about America.”

In his speech, Butker spoke out against birth control and IVF. He also apparently took a dig at Pride Month, which begins June 1 and celebrates members of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, Butker has openly defended her belief that women are more excited about motherhood and being at home.

Butker’s speech came under scrutiny, with the NFL saying his comments were “not those of the NFL as an organization.” The speech also drew criticism from a group of nuns associated with Benedictine College. Even the Los Angeles Chargers, who are one of the Chiefs’ rivals in the AFC West, trolled Butker in the team’s hyped video promoting their 2024 schedule.