Former ESPN host Sage Steele threw support behind Kansas City Chiefs' Harrison Butker amidst intense backlash over his pro-Christian commencement speech at a Catholic college last week.
Butker's speech at Benedictine College criticized President Joe Biden, the LGBTQ community, and encouraged graduating women to embrace their role as a "homemaker." Along with intense backlash to his speech, a Change.org petition was created calling for Butker's dismissal from the Kansas City Chiefs citing his remarks at Benedictine College as "sexist, homophobic, anti-trans, anti-abortion and racist." The petition has garnered just under 220,000 signatures as of Monday afternoon.
On Sunday, Steele shared a video to her X account discussing the controversy and extending her support for the Kansas City Chiefs kicker.
“I am so saddened at the criticism that has come this man’s way just because he voiced his opinion,” Steele said. “Doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything he said, right. 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, adding she didn't agree Butker on all of the points made throughout his speech. Harrison Butker….please don’t change. 🙏🏽 #diversityofthought@buttkicker7 pic.twitter.com/jx0MDEsQhi
— Sage Steele (@sagesteele) May 19, 2024
“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,” the former ESPN host continued. “For me that would not have been the case. And I am so grateful and blessed that I am a mother times three. And that by far is my best accomplishment and something I’m most proud of. The best job I’ll ever have, being a mother.”
Steele said many parts of Butker's speech were "beautiful," though questioned the NFL's Thursday statement distancing themselves from the Kansas City Chiefs kicker's remarks.
“How cool is it as a woman to hear your spouse praise you and have such gratitude towards you?” the former sports anchor said. “That’s a beautiful thing. Isn’t that pro woman? That’s the way I took it.”
The former ESPN host said she was "saddened at all the negativity" surrounding Butker, noting many of his critics had been proponents of free speech.
“Instead you are denouncing a man who is uplifting women?” Steele continued. “I just don’t get it. Harrison Butker has a right to believe what he wants to believe. Harrison Butker, thank you for your courage. Don’t change. We need you.”
Steele departed ESPN last year after filing a lawsuit alleging the network had violated her freedom of speech by targeting her for comments she made about COVID-19 and vaccine mandates.
