Thousands demand Harrison Butker’s dismissal from the Chiefs; will Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes follow through?
An internet petition has become viral.
Following his controversial graduation speech at a private college in Kansas, a Change.org petition has gained pace calling for Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s removal from the organisation and the NFL. Butker, a fervent Catholic, gave a speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas last weekend.
In his speech, he congratulated the female graduates and speculated that many of them may be more interested in getting married, having children, and becoming stay-at-home mothers than pursuing their careers.
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Butker also criticised Pride month, a significant season for the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and President Joe Biden’s abortion policy.
Petition has gone viral.
The 28-year-old, who has three Super Bowl championships with the Chiefs, is now receiving heat for his comments. The petition requesting his removal has received more than 70,000 signatures, up from 30,000 on Wednesday evening.
More than 25,000 individuals signed the petition on Wednesday alone, with the goal of reaching 50,000 signatures.
“The harmful remarks made by Harrison Butker, kicker of the Kansas City Chiefs, during his commencement address at Benedictine College were unacceptable,” according to the petition.
“His statements were sexist, homophobic, anti-transgender, anti-abortion, and racial. These dehumanising insults directed at LGBTQ+ people, as well as attacks on abortion rights and racial discrimination, exacerbate divisiveness and weaken human rights.
“These statements promote negative prejudices that impede societal progress. They create a toxic climate that undermines our joint efforts to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in society. It is unethical for a public figure to use their platform to promote division rather than unity.
“It is crucial to emphasise that these types of discriminatory views have a big role in societal concerns such as hate crimes, which have increased in recent years (source: FBI Hate Crime Statistics). Furthermore, they can exacerbate mental health difficulties in targeted groups (source: American Psychological Association).
“We demand accountability from our athletes, who should be role models for respecting all people regardless of race, gender identity, or sexual orientation.” We urge the Kansas City Chiefs’ management to remove Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate behaviour.