Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid was asked Wednesday about Harrison Butker’s recent comments at a college graduation ceremony, including whether he spoke to the kicker about his now-viral words.
Reid said Wednesday he didn’t think he needed to address the issue with the eighth-year pro.
“We are a microcosm of life here. Everyone is from different areas, different religions, different races,” Reid said, referring to an NFL locker room. “And so we all get along, we all respect each other’s opinions. And we don’t necessarily follow them, but we respect that everyone has a voice. That’s what’s great about America, man. And we are just a microcosm of it. My wish is that everyone can follow this.
Butker gained national attention after his mid-May commencement speech at Benedictine, a Catholic liberal arts college in Atchison, Kansas. During his speech, Butker spoke directly to female graduates while breaking down at one point while talking about his wife, Isabelle.
“Some of you could have successful careers in the world,” Butker told the women present at the ceremony. “But I would venture to guess that the majority of you are very excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into the world.
“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly began when she began to live her vocation as a wife and mother. I stand on this stage today and I can be the man I am because I have a wife who relies on her calling.
“I am beyond blessed by the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be understated that all of my success is made possible because the girl I met in middle school music class would convert to faith, would become my wife and adopt one of the most important titles of all: that of housewife.
The speech drew both praise and criticism while bringing more attention to the leaders. A reporter asked Reid on Wednesday how he was going to make sure Butker’s words wouldn’t be a distraction for a team trying to win its third straight Super Bowl.
“The guys are good with it. They understand. They understand how things work,” Reid said, referring to his players. “Everyone has their own opinion; That’s what’s so great about this country. You can share these things and you work on them. And that’s what guys do.
Reid’s words Wednesday were his first public comments on Butker since the Benedictine address; a satirical website previously printed fake quotes from Reid that had recently gained traction among social media sites.
When asked what he would say to female Chiefs employees who might be offended by Butker’s words, Reid said he hadn’t heard from anyone like that.
“I don’t think (Harrison) was talking bad about women,” Reid said. “But he has his opinions, and we all respect that.”
Butker worked with his Chiefs teammates Wednesday during team activities in Kansas City. Voluntary training takes place over the next three weeks.
The kicker’s graduation speech continued an active offseason for the Chiefs’ headlines, as wide receiver Rashee Rice faces eight charges after admitting to driving in a high-speed crash on a Texas highway.
Reid was asked if he was frustrated by the number of off-field distractions in recent months.
“We obviously don’t want these things to happen. But things happen and you work through it,” Reid said. “And my thing is, it’s important that you learn from it and put an end to it. So it’s important.
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