In a recent commencement speech that has sparked widespread controversy, Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made remarks about women that have left many in an uproar.

Addressing the female graduates directly, Butker shared his opinion that their primary focus should be on home-making rather than pursuing professional careers.

Butker indicated that in his view, the most profound fulfillment for women comes not from career achievements but rather from their roles as wives and mothers. “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 addressed the audience.

He implied that despite potential professional success, he speculates that for many of these women, true excitement lies in the prospects of marriage and motherhood.

Highlighting his personal life as an example, Butker praised his wife Isabelle for embracing her role as a homemaker, which he credits as a cornerstone of his own success. “My beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and a mother,” he stated.

This perspective did not resonate well with many, sparking a backlash that has crossed into the sports world and beyond. Among the critics was former NFL sideline reporter Lisa Guerrero, who took to social media to challenge the NFL and its stance on female empowerment and inclusivity. “Hey @NFL – If you want to continue to grow your female fan base and any other marginalized group (straight white men are already watching your product), come get your boy,” Guerrero wrote.

Guerrero also highlighted a point of contention in Butker’s remarks by referencing his mother, Elizabeth Keller Butker, as an example of successful professional women. Pointing out the accomplishments of Butker’s own mother, an academic with significant credentials in the fields of Chemistry and Medical Physics, Guerrero’s comments underscore the contradiction in Butker’s views on women’s roles.

So far, Butker has remained silent amidst the growing outcry against his recent comments, leaving the sports community and the public awaiting further response.