Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel had the perfect message for his players following a reporter’s question about Harrison Butker.
Harrison Butker made headlines on May 11 when he gave a commencement speech to students at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. The Kansas City Chiefs’ kicker made homophobic, antisemitic and sexist remarks that received plenty of media coverage and widespread criticism.
During his speech, Butker encouraged the graduating female students to become “homemakers.” An online petition at Change.org calling for the Chiefs to release the veteran kicker already has over 224,000 signatures.
McDaniel was asked about Butker’s comments during a press conference with reporters on Wednesday. The third-year head coach offered the perfect response that his players will want to take to heart:
“You do have to open the eyes of the players to their platform if they’re new to the situation. I think you have to understand what you say…can be fragmented and last with you forever…I really emphasize whatever you’re going to say, you better believe it…(Players) have the freedom of choice, and if they want to go that direction, go right ahead. I’ll be over here hanging out with you guys.”
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McDaniel’s message should be an eye-opener to players across the NFL. New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers likes to stir the pot with his endorsements of baseless conspiracy theories and misinformation, then expresses confusion over the backlash that comes his way.
Butker still hasn’t addressed the growing criticism he’s received over the past 12 days. At this point, it looks like he’s just going to continue his business as if nothing ever happened in the first place.
Harrison Butker Unlikely To Be Reprimanded By Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs’ organization waited nearly two weeks to address Harrison Butker’s comments. Finally, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid did so when speaking to reporters on Wednesday.
Mahomes emphasized that he didn’t agree with some of Butker’s comments, but that the three-time Super Bowl champion is “a good person.” Reid kept it simple by stating that freedom of speech is what makes America a wonderful country.
Going by the comments from Mahomes and Reid, it looks like Butker will not be reprimanded in any way. The team will presumably move forward and continue getting ready for the start of their Super Bowl defense. First up is a home tilt on September 5 against the Baltimore Ravens.
