Kelly Stafford, the wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, took to social media to express her criticism of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker following his controversial commencement speech that garnered widespread attention.
Stafford expressed her disagreement with Butker’s remarks in a post on her podcast’s Instagram story. She specifically took issue with Butker’s speech at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts college in Kansas. During his address, Butker stated that he believed the majority of female graduates would be more thrilled about starting families and getting married than they would be about their academic achievements.
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The NFL has faced backlash and criticism due to comments made by Stafford, leading to a distancing from the league. Stafford, however, attempted to defend the female graduates.
“I just want to highlight a few points. The decision lies with the woman. It is her choice whether she wants to solely focus on being a mother or pursue a career. It is her choice if she wants to juggle both and find a balance. And I believe it is unfair for someone to stand up at a graduation speech and tell women who have worked tirelessly for four years, possibly accumulating debt, that their ultimate achievement will be becoming a mother and a wife. Don’t get me wrong, that might indeed be their greatest accomplishment. However, it is up to them to decide whether they want to embrace that role or not.”
Critics are voicing their concerns about the kicker’s speech, particularly his statement that women have been subjected to “the most diabolical lies.”
“How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross the stage, and thinking about all the promotions and titles you’ll earn in your career?” Butker asked the students. “While some of you may indeed go on to have successful careers in the world, I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about starting a family and the joy of raising children.”
Stafford acknowledged the challenging reality that exists in our society, where individuals frequently engage in tearing each other down. He emphasized the importance for both men and women to uplift and support one another instead.
“You know what? There are some incredibly intelligent women who have the power to make a significant impact on this world. And to suggest that they don’t truly belong in the workplace?”
According to her, Stafford’s remarks on in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the speech resonated deeply with her. She acknowledged that there are women who struggle with infertility, but she firmly believes that women have the power to raise their children and contribute positively to society.
In a recent Instagram post, Stafford expressed her contentment with being a stay-at-home mom. However, she also acknowledged that not every woman’s experience is the same, and it shouldn’t be expected to be.
“Some women make the choice to not stay at home, while others do not have the privilege to make that choice. Although we may not always see eye to eye on every matter, I believe that we all share a common desire for a better world for our children. I believe that supporting and empowering both women and men in the roles they choose is an important initial step towards achieving that goal,” she expressed.
