Jason Kelce addressed the backlash engulfing the Chiefs’ Harrison Butker on Friday following the kicker’s controversial commencement speech at Benedictine College this month.
During the latest installment of the “New Heights” podcast, the retired Eagles center offered his take on the controversy swirling around Butker, who has been condemned for perceived sexist and anti-LGBTQIA+ comments, revealing wife Kylie — with whom he shares three young daughters — was “a little bit frustrated” with the remarks.
“There’s always going to be opinions that everybody shares that you’re going to disagree with and make no mistake about it, a lot of the things he said in his commencement speech are not things that I align myself with,” Jason said.
Jason Kelce appears on the “New Heights” podcast on May 24, 2024.New Heights/YouTube
Jason Kelce and wife Kylie share three young daughters.kykelce/Instagram
“… And to me, I can listen to somebody talk and take great value in it, like when he’s talking about the importance of family, the importance of that a great mother can make, while also acknowledge that not everybody has to be a homemaker if that’s not what they want to do in life. When you’re listening to somebody, you take in things that you like, you listen to other things and you say, well I don’t f–king like that.”
Butker, 28, zeroed in on several topics during his now-viral commencement address, including politics, religion and cultural issues. He called attention to women and encouraged them to “embrace one of the most important tiles of all: homemaker.”
“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 a mother. I am on this stage and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation … It cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because of a girl I met in class back in middle school, convert to the faith, become my wife and embrace one of the most-important tiles of all: homemaker,” Butker said at the time.
Harrison Butker during his Benedictine College commencement address.BenedictineCollege
Jason and Travis Kelce on “New Heights.”New Heights/Youtube
Kylie, who drew praise this month for her commencement address at alma mater Cabrini University, had frustration over Butker’s remarks, according to Jason, who then joked that he asked her to make him a sandwich.
“My wife, she was, I think, a little bit frustrated with some of the comments. Initially I said listen, you’re going to need to go back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich. I’m listening to the game right now,” said Jason, who was chastised by his brother, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, for veering off course.
“We were doing so good, we were killing it,” Travis, 34, said, to which Jason replied, “I hope she didn’t hear that.”
Jason Kelce with wife Kylie.Getty Images for Prime Video
Kylie, who wed Jason in 2018, told Cabrini’s graduates to stay true to who they are as they navigate the next chapters of their lives.
“Find the things that speak to you. Your enthusiasm can be channeled to create change, and you are wonderful the way you are,” said Kylie, who graduated in 2017.
Much like Travis, who praised Butker as a person but does not align with his views, Jason offered a similar sentiment Friday.
“We’ve played our entire careers with people that we don’t align with everything. I don’t know that I’ve played with one teammate that he and I agreed with every single thing that each one of us thinks,” Jason said. “And that’s the beauty, you find a way to work together, you find a way to grow together.”