Print Print    Close Close

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley defends 'friend' Harrison Butker after 'out of touch' left's 'absurd meltdown'

By Jasmine Baehr

Published May 18, 2024

Fox News
Harrison Butker jersey sales spike after commencement speech goes viral Video

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., came to Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker's defense this week after the 28-year-old pro-baller's commencement speech at Benedictine College.

Butker came under fire after delivering a speech to new graduates of the Catholic liberal arts college, focusing on the importance of being "unapologetically Catholic." 

His address included barbs at President Biden for his pro-abortion stance and supporting young women in the "vocation" of marriage and motherhood.

BILL MAHER DEFENDS HARRISON BUTKER AMID SPEECH UPROAR: 'I DON'T SEE WHAT THE BIG CRIME IS'

Most controversially, Butker referred to pride month as a "deadly sin." 

For Butker's stances on faith and family, both the media and the NFL alike condemned the speech. The NFL explicitly distanced itself from Butker, saying "his views are not those of the NFL as an organization."

Senator Josh Hawley Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Butker

Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) quickly came to the defense of friend Chiefs player Harrison Butker after the latter came under fire for his traditional Christian values shared in a college commencement speech. (Getty Images)

Hawley, himself a Christian, defended his "friend" on X amid the onslaught. 

Hawley first posted to his X acount, the site formerly known as Twitter, with a photo showing him alongside Butker. "Never more proud to call Harrison Butker my friend," Hawley said.

The Missouri Republican also posted later that same day citing jersey sales for the Kansas City Chiefs kicker reaching an all-time high, saying, "Nice work, libs! I’m ordering one for all my kids."

Hawley also joined KCMO Talk Radio in Kansas City Friday morning, calling the left "hilariously out of touch" when it comes to Butker's views.

The NFL has sold out of Harrison Butker jerseys for women in the days that followed his commencement address at Benedictine College.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The full text of Butker's address can be found here.

Jasmine Baehr is a Breaking News Writer for Fox News Digital, where she covers politics, the military, faith and culture.

Print Print    Close Close

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/missouri-sen-josh-hawley-defends-friend-harrison-butker-after-out-touch-lefts-absurd-meltdown

  • Home
  • Video
  • Politics
  • U.S.
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • World
  • Sports
  • Weather
  • Privacy
  • Terms

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Do Not Sell my Personal Information - New Terms of Use - FAQ