All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones is undoubtedly one of the best players in the entire NFL.
Along with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, Jones is one of the main reasons why the Kansas City Chiefs have won three Super Bowls over the past five years.
Jones has proven to be a key leader both on and off the field for the Chiefs. Which is why it’s no surprise that he has come to the defense of his friend and teammate, Harrison Butker.
Butker has faced criticism from some people with recent comments he made at the commencement ceremony at Benedictine College.
“I love you, @buttkicker7! My brotha,” Jones posted on X, while pointing out a petition that’s circulating online seeking to have the Chiefs release Butker because of his beliefs.
Of course, no amount of signatures could force the Chiefs to release Butker … The Hunt family has come out in support of their kicker.
Appearing on FOX News, Gracie Hunt – daughter of owner Clark Hunt – spoke highly of Butker and made it clear that she understood where his message was coming from.
“Well, I can only speak from my own experience, which is I’ve had the most incredible mom who had the ability to stay home and be with us as kids growing up. And I understand that there are many women out there who can’t make that decision … But for me and my life, I know it was really formative and in shaping me and my siblings into who we are,” Gracie said.
“I really respect Harrison and his Christian faith and what he’s accomplished on and off the field,” she added.
Legendary college football coach Lou Holtz also came to Butker’s defense.
“Thank you @buttkicker7 for standing strong in your faith values. Your commencement speech at Benedictine College showed courage and conviction and I admire that. Don’t give in,” Holtz posted on X.
Sam Ponder of ESPN agreed with many aspects of Butker’s message and made it clear that she feels any petition calling for his release is ridiculous and “totally un-American.”
“I think the petition that he should be fired from the Chiefs is totally un-American,” Ponder wrote on Instagram. “Is a Catholic espousing traditionally Catholic views to a Catholic audience really that shocking?! Why can’t we just respectfully disagree?!
“Personally I agreed with a few things he said … especially that most women are more excited/proud of their families than their day jobs,” Ponder added. “I love my job and have worked my butt off (and slept in my car) to get here, but it’s not even comparable to how I feel about being a mom! ESPN will not be with me on my deathbed. When did that become offensive?
“I disagreed with a few things he said, too. I do not think my life ‘began’ when I became a wife and mom. I think you can live totally fulfilled purposeful life as a single woman in the workplace! Frankly I think I could have had an equally meaningful life if I never got married/became a mother. I’m so proud to be an American where he can share his beliefs openly.”
Former ESPN host Sage Steele echoed Ponder’s sentiments – and while she didn’t agree with everything he said, Steele thinks it’s unacceptable and hypocritical for anyone to try to silence Butker.
“Doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything he said… Diversity of thought; I’ve been preaching that since long before I left ESPN and I will never stop preaching it because that is what’s right,” Steele said in a video posted on X.
“I know women, women who are close friends of mine, who actually are quite content in life without having kids, whether it was their specific choice, they didn’t want to become a mother or they couldn’t and are now at peace with it,” Steele coninuted. “I know women can be quite content without being a mother. For me, I know that wouldn’t have been the case and I’m so grateful and blessed that I’m a mother times three.”
“We know that you’re a league with thousands of people. Of course you’re not going to be on the same page,” she added. “Why did Change.org come out with a petition to try to get Harrison Butker fired because of his opinions, which, by the way, I thought so many parts of [his speech] were so beautiful.”
“How cool is it as a woman to hear your spouse praise you and have such gratitude towards you? Not just privately, but publicly in front of millions of people,” Steele added, referring to the loving message Butker had for his wife during the ceremony.
“That’s a beautiful thing. Isn’t that pro woman? That’s the way I took it. So, I’m just saddened at all of the negativity that surrounds him.”
As many have pointed out, a lot of people who are attacking Butker over his beliefs remain quiet when it comes to other issues – (one example being fellow Chiefs star Rashee Rice and all of his legal trouble).
What are your thoughts on the whole situation???