The Los Angeles Chargers took aim at Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who is under fire for recent remarks in which he urged women to prioritize being homemakers over having a profession.
Shortly after the NFL revealed its 2024 schedule on Wednesday, the Chargers turned to social media site X with a three-and-a-half-minute Sims-style movie mocking each of their NFL opponents as well as some of their well-known players.
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An animation of a No. 7 Chiefs player (Butker’s jersey number) working in the kitchen, baking, cleaning, and pretending to struggle with a floral arrangement appeared toward the end of the film.
Butker, 28, became embroiled in controversy this week after delivering a 20-minute commencement speech at Benedictine College in which he railed against Pride Month, President Biden, abortion, and women in the workplace.
“I think we’ve told the women the most heinous lies.” How many of you are sitting here preparing to cross the stage, thinking about all of the promotions and titles you will receive in your career?” Butker spoke to students at the Catholic liberal arts institution.
“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 said.
The Chiefs kicker told the narrative of his wife, who pursued her “vocation” of being his partner and mother to their children.
“I say all of this to you because I’ve seen it firsthand… how much happier someone can be when they disregard the outside noise and move closer and closer to God’s will in their life,” he continued. “Isabella’s dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you asked her today if she has any regrets about her decision, she would laugh out loud without hesitation and say, ‘heck no,'” he remarked, referring to his spouse Isabelle.
His comments prompted immediate outrage on social media, and a petition calling for his dismissal had over 115,000 signatures as of Thursday.
The NFL appeared to try to distance itself from Butker’s comments earlier this week.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, told People. “His opinions do not represent the NFL as an organization.”The NFL remains unwavering in its commitment to inclusion, which only strengthens our league.”
Former Kansas City Commissioner Justice Horn chimed in on the matter, writing on X, “Harrison Butker does not represent Kansas City and never has.” Kansas City has always welcomed, affirmed, and embraced our LGBTQ+ community members.”
Earlier in the speech, Butker attacked Biden on abortion, gender ideology, and the COVID-19 epidemic.
“Bad policies and poor leadership have had a negative impact on major life issues.” Abortion, IVF, surrogacy, and euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder,” he said, adding later, “Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith but is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally.”
Butker also obliquely referred to Pride Month as representing “deadly sins.”
Biden is just the second Catholic president of the United States, and he frequently attends Saturday evening mass with his family near his home in Wilmington, Delaware, or in Washington, DC. Although the White House maintains that Biden’s faith is personal, he must balance certain contentious issues, particularly reproductive rights.
