Kylie Kelce Weighs in on Harrison Butker’s Controversial Speech: ‘Everyone Is Entitled to Their Own Opinion’
Travis Kelce’s teammate recently landed in hot water while sharing his views at a college graduation ceremony
Kylie Kelce is weighing in on Harrison Butker’s controversial comments.
On Thursday, June 13, the 31-year-old did an interview with Cheddar to discuss the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation — an organization with her newly retired husband Jason Kelce’s former NFL team.
While speaking with the outlet, Kylie was asked for her take on Butker’s commentary after the 28-year-old Kansas City Chiefs kicker spoke at Benedictine College’s graduation ceremony in May.
Before sharing her reaction, hosts for the outlet read a quote from the pro athlete’s speech.
“The majority of you are most excited about your marriage, and the children you will bring into this world,” Butker previously said.
After reading the quote, one host asked for her response “as a mom” and “a mother of three daughters.”
“I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion,” Kylie began. “I hope that if anyone does not align with those views in that graduating class, that they know that they have just achieved something… that no one can take away from them.”
She added, “I hope they were appropriately celebrated if that was not their view.”
“And if it was [their view], and they’re looking forward to making a family and being [a] stay-at-home mom, then more power to them. I think as women we should support each other in our choices,” Kylie continued.
During Butker’s controversial 20-minute speech, he discussed topics such as the LGBTQ+ community, working women, abortion rights and more.
The NFL quickly released a statement, saying they did not agree with his views.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” Jonathan Beane, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, told PEOPLE in a written statement. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”
In the days that followed, former Kansas City commissioner Justice Horn also addressed the Butker backlash in a social media post, writing on X (formerly known as Twitter), “Harrison Butker doesn’t represent Kansas City nor has he ever. Kansas City has always been a place that welcomes, affirms, and embraces our LGBTQ+ community members.”
During an episode of the New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce podcast, Kylie’s brother-in-law, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, said of Butker, “I cherish him as a teammate,” but he did not agree with all of Butker’s views.
“I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids,” Travis said in May. “And I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life, that’s just not who I am.”
