Getty Image / Kevin Sabitus
The NFL world bled into mainstream news and political culture in the two weeks after Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker made controversial comments about the role of women in society during a commencement speech at Benedictine College on May 11.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has made it known he doesn’t agree with the message of Butker’s speech. In fact, he made it clear that women simply aren’t respected enough.
Butker’s speech took aim at things like IVF, abortion rights, LGBTQ issues, and other controversial social issues in our political landscape. Butker, a devout Catholic, also made comments that some viewed as insensitive when he praised his wife’s role as a homemaker in front of a group of college graduates who had just spent big bucks to earn a college degree and presumably start a career.
Here’s an excerpt of his controversial comments.
“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world… embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.”
Jalen Hurts appeared to take aim at those comments over the weekend at the Philadelphia Eagles’ Women’s Football Festival. Here’s People Magazine with more.
“Women are thrusted into positions to have to overcome this, overcome that and they lack the respect that they deserve,” Hurts, 25, said at his team’s Women’s Football Festival on Sunday, May 19.
He added, as those in the crowd cheered, “I’m here advocating for it, not only in football but in every situation. We all know the woman is the rock of everything.”
I guess there’s a chance that those comments by Jalen Hurts could be coincidental. But, given the timing, it’s hard to imagine that Jalen Hurts’ comments weren’t directly aimed at Harrison Butker’s speech.
Hurts made his second-straight Pro Bowl last year after throwing for 3,858 yards with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, with 605 rushing yards and another 15 touchdowns through the ground.