Former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy has revealed his plans to take a stand against controversial Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker, following his recent commencement address. In a recent episode of the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Van Gundy shared his thoughts on Butker’s speech and the subsequent reaction from the Chiefs organization.
“I’ll go this far: he was a kicker on my fantasy team last year, but I won’t be drafting him this year,” Van Gundy stated, expressing his disapproval of Butker’s comments. The former coach’s decision to boycott Butker in fantasy football serves as a form of protest against the kicker’s remarks.
The Chiefs kicker has faced backlash for his commencement address
Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has faced intense criticism for his comments during the graduation speech at Benedictine College. In his address, the 28-year-old kicker made controversial statements suggesting that women should embrace their role as homemakers and also took aim at the LGBTQ+ community and President Biden’s stance on abortion.
While acknowledging that Butker is entitled to his beliefs, Van Gundy strongly disagreed with his remarks, characterizing them as “backwards.” He went on to express his frustration with the notion that bigotry can be justified or excused when cloaked under the guise of religious beliefs.
In his commencement address, Butker encouraged men to “fight against cultural emasculation” while implying that women’s primary vocation is to be housewives with no career aspirations. These comments sparked a wave of backlash and prompted responses from Butker’s teammate, Patrick Mahomes, and head coach Andy Reid.
Patrick Mahomes has defended his teammate, Harrison Butker
Mahomes, who has been teammates with Butker since 2018, defended the kicker during a press conference, saying, “I’ve known [Harrison] for seven years, and I judge him by the character that he shows every single day. And that’s a good person.” He further added, “That’s someone who cares about the people around him, cares about his family, and wants to make a good impact in society.”
Head coach Andy Reid also chimed in, emphasizing the team’s diversity and respect for differing opinions. “Everybody is from different areas, different religions, different races, and so we all get along, we all respect each other’s opinions,” Reid stated. He went on to express his wish that society at large could emulate the team’s approach to diversity and mutual respect.
Butker, a Super Bowl champion, is one of the most outspoken NFL players in opposition to President Biden’s policies. His comments during the commencement address have sparked a broader discussion about the intersection of personal beliefs, sports, and social issues.
