Kansas City Chiefs kicker Butker breaks silence after commencement speech, says he regrets nothing

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker breaks silence following his commencement speech that resulted in backlash, saying he regrets nothing and will remain unapologetic about his Catholic faith. 

“In my seven years in the NFL, I’ve become familiar with positive and negative comments. But the majority of them revolve around my performance on the field,” Butker said at a gala in Nashville on Friday, according to The Daily Wire. “But, as to be expected, the more I’ve talked about what I value most, my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I’ve become. It’s a decision I’ve consciously made, and one I do not regret at all.”

He said that the amount of hate he received for his commencement speech at Benedictine College will not deter him from talking about his faith. 

“Our love for Jesus and, thus, our desire to speak out should never be outweighed by the longing…to be loved by the world," Butker also said at the gala.

Butker spoke to a crowd of Catholic college graduates during a commencement ceremony where he criticized President Joe Biden's stances on abortion, IVF treatments and LGBTQ rights, asserting they were at odds with the Catholic church.

He received much backlash for his remarks with some calling for him to apologize for his remarks and others calling for him to leave the National Football League. 

There has been a reported surge in the sales of Butker's jersey following his speech earlier this month.