Travis Kelce admits he doesn’t agree with majority of teammate Harrison Butker’s views on women

Kelce chose his words wisely as Butker's speech has stirred a lot of controversy.

Travis Kelce admits he doesn’t agree with majority of teammate Harrison Butker’s views on women

Travis Kelce and Harrison Butker (via IMAGO)

Travis Kelce has always been a great teammate. Seldom has he thrown any of his brothers on the field under the bus, even though they may have indulged in morally or legally unacceptable behavior. On the latest iteration of the New Heights podcast, Kelce broke the ice on Harisson Butker, who has been the talk of town recently.

Butker delivered a controversial commencement speech at the Benedictine College earlier this month. The kicker’s take on the role of women in society created a stir with petitions actively being signed demanding his dismissal from the Kansas City Chiefs. Travis Kelce steered clear of directly addressing the comments made by him and rather spoke on how Harrison Butker is as a person.

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He praised the placekicker for being a “great person and a great teammate” before expressing his disagreement with Butker’s personal opinions.

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I've known him for seven-plus years probably, eight-plus years and I cherish him as a teammate. When it comes down to his views and what he said at the commencement speech, you know those are his. I can't say I agree with the majority of it, or, just about any of it outside of him loving his family and his kids.
Travis Kelce said on the latest episode of ‘New Heights’

The tight end trod lightly as he understood he had to balance a fine line between addressing the comments made by Butker and ensuring he did not ruin his professional relationship with the kicker.

Travis Kelce is not going to judge Harrison Butker over his controversial speech

The tight end laid an emphasis on how he intends to treat Harrison Butker the same because he is a good teammate and although his views are controversial, they are ultimately his personal opinions. Besides, considering how the kicker treats everyone around him, he is not a bad person and the mere fact that he has a differing opinion and polar religious views does not make him one.

Travis Kelce
Travis Kelce (via IMAGO)

Butker made a notable reference to Taylor Swift in his speech. He brought up a line from her song Bejeweled and chose to refer to the star as his “teammate’s girlfriend” rather than address her by name. Travis Kelce chose to remain mum on that reference. It has been challenging for the Chiefs and their stars on how to publicly address the backlash that has stemmed from Butker’s speech.

Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid had similar views as they defended Butker as a good teammate and a good person but did not necessarily go after him over his personal opinions. The NFL, however, was quick to step in and distance itself from Butker as the league’s head of diversity and inclusion released a statement that the kicker made the statements in “his personal capacity” and that “his views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”

Roger Goodell, in a recent statement, revealed that the NFL cherishes the “diversity of opinions and thoughts just like America does.” He did not denounce Butker for his take but just pointed out to the fact that everyone has a differing set of opinions and that is one of the highlights of what makes America great.

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