Key Takeaways:
– Pearl Jam’s lead singer Eddie Vedder criticises Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s speech at Benedictine College.
– Vedder counters Butker’s message on masculinity, urging the support of strong women.
– Butker’s address, backing women’s ‘true vocation’ as homemakers, has faced widespread criticism.
– NFL and other celebrities including Maria Shriver and Kelly Stafford distanced themselves from Butker’s comments.
– Butker’s speech was supported by conservatives and members of Chiefs.
– The Kansas City Chiefs organization has not released an official statement on the matter.
Eddie Vedder, Pearl Jam’s lead singer, strongly condemned Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial Benedictine College speech during his show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Vedder’s critique, challenging Butker’s traditional views on masculinity, went viral after being shared by concert attendees, amassing upwards of 625,000 views.
Vedder Challenges Butker’s Masculinity Narrative
“During his performance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Vedder admitted, “It’s ironic that the football player, well, kicker, should start advising men to ‘puff up their chests. and be more masculine’,” Vedder relayed to the sold-out crowd. He countered Butker’s views by asserting, “There’s nothing more masculine than a strong man supporting a strong woman.”
Butker’s Address Sparks Widespread Criticism
In contrast, during his address at Benedictine College, Butker encouraged men to be “unapologetic in their masculinity” and decry cultural emasculation. He additionally urged women to accept their ‘true vocation’ as homemakers. His speech garnered serious backlash from various quarters.
NFL, Stafford, Shriver among Critics
The NFL, alongside a number of celebrities, distanced itself from Butker’s views. The league was quick to confirm, through Jonathan Beane, that Butker’s views were not reflective of the organization. Kelly Stafford, wife of LA Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, was also among the critics, expressing her views on Instagram. She stood against Butker’s comments, arguing that women already face enough issues like impostor syndrome. Maria Shriver, activist and former first lady of California, likewise denounced Butker’s speech.
Inconsistency among Chiefs
Despite widespread criticism, Butker’s speech found support from conservative circles, including within the Chiefs. His jersey sales even topped in the NFL Shop. The kicker’s supportive teammates include Chiefs superstar Chris Jones, who expressed his backing amidst a cloud of controversy. However, the Kansas City Chiefs organization has not yet released any official statement on Butker’s controversial address.
In spite of public indignation reflected in a petition with over 216,000 signatures calling for Butker’s dismissal, the kicker still finds support from Chiefs co-owner Clark Hunt’s wife and daughter, Tavia and Gracie Hunt. The contrasting reactions within and outside of the Chiefs demonstrate the divisions in public opinion regarding Butker’s controversial comments.