Chiefs’ Mahomes: Butker Entitled to His Beliefs, Even if QB Disagrees

Patrick Mahomes addressed the recent controversy surrounding Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, emphasizing that while he doesn’t agree with all of Butker’s views, he respects his teammate’s right to express them.

Butker’s May 11 commencement speech at Benedictine College in Kansas sparked debate. In his speech, Butker suggested that many women graduates were more excited about marriage and children than their careers, and criticized certain gender ideologies, Pride month, and President Biden’s stance on abortion.

“I’ve known Harrison for seven years. I judge him by the character he shows every single day,” Mahomes said. “We’re not always going to agree, but I know the person he is and he’s trying to lead people in the right direction.”

Mahomes’ comments came after he toasted the future of women in sports at the TIME100 Gala, highlighting a contrast in timing. “It was pretty bad timing. I shot that a couple weeks before,” Mahomes noted. “That’s what makes this country great—you can get as much knowledge as you can and make your own decisions.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also commented, distancing the league from Butker’s views, while noting the diversity of opinions within the NFL. Chiefs coach Andy Reid echoed the sentiment of respecting different perspectives within the team.

Mahomes remains confident that Butker’s viewpoints won’t create division in the locker room as the Chiefs aim for a third consecutive Super Bowl title. “There are certain values that some people emphasize more than others. There are certain things I don’t necessarily agree with,” Mahomes said. “I know what kind of person he is. I’m going to look at that first.”