Travis Kelce Fumbles Harrison Butker Response And Swifties Can't Shake It Off
Swifties waited with bated breath to see what Travis Kelce would say after Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker named-dropped Taylor Swift without saying her name during a controversial commencement speech — instead, Butker referred to the global powerhouse as "my teammate's girlfriend." Well, Kelce finally spoke out on "New Heights," and some fans were not impressed. He could have taken a strong stance against Butker's misogynist remarks and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community, but he did not.
Butker criticized President Joe Biden for being pro-choice, called gay pride a "deadly sin," and spoke out against birth control and IVF. The comments that received the most attention, however, were those about women. "I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you," he told the female students who had just graduated. He then used anecdotal evidence of his wife's happiness as a homemaker to make the argument that they also would be more fulfilled going the trad wife route instead of pursuing careers.
Kelce's response to the divisive speech was a real rollercoaster ride. He started on a low note by joining Patrick Mahomes in voicing support for Butker. "I cherish him as a teammate. I think Pat said it best where he is every bit of a great person and a great teammate," Kelce said. The OG Swiftie then made a lukewarm effort to reclaim some of that sweet goodwill from his brethren before really sticking his foot in his mouth.
Harrison Butker's views don't bother Travis Kelce
Regarding the content of Harrison Butker's speech, Travis Kelce said, "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." However, he added, "I don't think that I should judge him by his views," So, if Kelce doesn't judge a man by his core beliefs, then what is he basing his opinion of Butker on? How well he can kick a ball? Not exactly; Kelce revealed that Butker has been nice to people he cares about, and apparently, this is good enough for him.
Of the argument that someone can be a good person while being bigoted and sexist, one Swiftie wrote on Reddit, "Travis's response is actually gross. It's one thing to disagree on what theory of economics works best. It's another thing entirely to disagree about whether LGBTQ people are evil and women should stay in their place." Another reaction to Kelce's refusal to pass judgment on Butker read, "[It's] a very telling and privileged statement to make. It's giving 'this doesn't affect me directly so I don't care.'" It was also suggested that Kelce's words would reflect badly on Swift, who has kept her lips sealed about the situation thus far. One Redditor predicted that she'll remain silent about it unless she and Kelce split up.
But when it comes down to it, Kelce's good name is his alone to disgrace, right?