In the couple of weeks that have passed since Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker‘s controversial graduation speech, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce is just one of the many, many people who have expressed their personal disagreement with what he said. Others include Kelce’s wife, Kylie Kelce, Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder, hip-hop artist Flavor Flav, and dozens of television personalities.

Travis Kelce, Jason’s brother and Butker’s teammate on the Chiefs, also expressed his disagreement with the things Butker said. The future Hall of Fame tight end did note, though, that Butker has always been kind and respectful to whomever Kelce has introduced to him, and that he believes he is a good person.

What Did Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Say in His Speech?

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7) against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Butker gave his speech at Benedictine College, a private Catholic school. During his address, the attacked the LGBTQ community, made an anti-Semitic reference, accused Catholic Church leaders of not being traditional enough, and that women cannot find more fulfillment than in the role of homemaker:

“For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.

“How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? 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.

“I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I’m on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation.

“I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.”

Butker has since doubled down on his comments, saying that he is a martyr for his religious beliefs.

Former Philadelphia Eagles Center Jason Kelce Shared His Initial Opinion on the Harrison Butker Speech

Feb 1, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce (62) participates in the NFL Pro Bowl Skills Competition at the UCF NIcholson Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
On his New Heights podcast with his brother, Jason revealed that he would have had a big problem with anyone telling any of his three daughters that the highest achievement they could have in life was as a homemaker:

“I would say, if my daughters listen to anybody tell them what to do, that they should be homemakers, then I’ve failed as a dad.

“I don’t care who’s talking to them. If you let somebody up on a stage tell you that you can’t do that, and then you’re like, ‘Oh, f—, I guess I won’t go be a Fortune 500 CEO,’ like, you weren’t going to make it.

“If you don’t like what somebody says, all you’ve got to do is say, oh, that guy is a f—ing idiot, and then you move on.

“I mean, I get what the fuss is about because I know that certain of these groups have been, persecuted against for a long period in this country, and women in particular.”

While disagreeing with what Butker said, Kelce stated that the kicker’s beliefs should have no affect on how people view themselves, and it certainly should not discourage the women he was talking to from working to achieve whatever goals they have in life. He does understand, though, why many took such great offense to the statement.

Some fans, though, did not like what Kelce had to say on the matter. They accused him of having a wife who is a homemaker and that he was a hypocrite for saying what he said.

Former Philadelphia Eagles Center Jason Kelce Claps Back at Fans

Feb 4, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; NFC center Jason Kelce (62) of the Philadelphia Eagles before the 2024 Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) this morning, Kelce addressed fans who called his wife, Kylie, a homemaker and him a hypocrite for his statements regarding Butker’s speech.

Kelce wrote:

“Responding to this, because I have seen a number of people say it. I don’t think of Kylie as a homemaker, I think of her as my wife. I think of her as a mother. She has an occupation, as do I, and we keep our house the best we can. Our marriage is a partnership, we are equals who are figuring it out on the daily. The only expectation is that we love each other, support one another, and are committed to our family, that comes first. We both raise our kids, we both work, We both keep our home. It is both our faults it is messy, but such is life with 3 young children, busy schedules, and neither of us being neat freaks. She also makes a mean sandwhich.

“If being a homemaker, works for some, and that’s what they want, then hell yea, that’s awesome, more power to you. I want to be clear, I’m not downplaying that at all, but that is not our family dynamic.”

Kelce’s point is clear: live and let live. If what a person is doing is not hurting themselves or anyone else, it should not be the business of anyone else. If being a homemaker works for some, that is fine. If it does not work for some, that is equally fine.

But telling women that the highest calling they can achieve is as a homemaker is not okay, and that was Kelce’s point.