Harrison Butker, the NFL kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs and a devout Christian, is making headlines again for his controversial opinions. This time, he’s managed to stir up a storm of criticism for some of his misguided comments.
Butker first grabbed attention with his commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he made backhanded compliments to female graduates, suggesting that their greatest achievements should be to become wives and mothers. His speech also included harsh criticisms of the LGBTQ+ community, and he used his Christian beliefs to back up his controversial views.
The latest controversy involves Butker’s reaction to a segment from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. The ceremony featured a scene with drag queens that some Catholics, including Butker, found offensive. They felt it was mocking religious imagery, specifically a spoof on Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. In response, Butker took to Instagram, expressing his outrage and quoting Galatians 6:7, which reads, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked.”
Butker further elaborated on his Instagram Story, quoting additional Bible verses about sowing and reaping, implying that the Olympic scene was an affront to Christian values.
However, the official response from the Paris 2024 spokesperson, Anne Descamps, clarified that there was no intention to disrespect any religious group. The scene was meant to celebrate community tolerance, not to mock Christianity. The opening ceremony’s artistic director, Thomas Jolly, confirmed that the segment was inspired by the Greek god Dionysus and the Feast of Dionysus, not The Last Supper.
Fans have weighed in on Butker’s comments, with some pointing out that the ceremony was a tribute to Greek mythology, not a religious mockery. Critics argue that Butker’s reaction reflects a misunderstanding of the artistic intent and history behind the scene. One fan mentioned that Butker’s views were making Christians look bad, while others criticized him for being a distraction and not understanding the historical context.
