Harrison Butker defends controversial commencement speech: "Respected all the viewpoints"

Butker addressed the local media at training camp, explaining that his comments were made from "a place of love."

Harrison Butker is defending the remarks he made during his contentious Benedictine College commencement speech in May.

The 29-year-old Kansas City Chiefs kicker addressed the local media at training camp on Wednesday, explaining that his comments were made from “a place of love.”

After admitting that he “respected all the viewpoints” of people who spoke out about his speech — which suggested women should embrace the term “homemaker” — Butker explained, “In terms of what I said, I’ve prayed about it, and thought about it and I was really intentional behind what I said.”

Butker also mentioned that he discussed his speech with some teammates, resulting in “tons of conversations in the locker room.”

He added that this dialogue helped the team to bond better and “understand each other.”

“I really believe if people knew me as a person, and understood that it was coming from a place of love, and not a place of trying to attract or put people down,” Butker added. “I only want the best for people, that’s what I was trying to say there. I think the people that were in that gymnasium all understood what I was saying.”

In his May speech, which has faced criticism from celebrities and advocacy groups like GLAAD, Butker told the graduating women they should aim to be “homemakers,” wives, and mothers.

“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,” he told the crowd at the time.

He also labelled Pride Month as one of “the deadly sins” and described abortion, IVF, and surrogacy as results of “disorders.”