Patrick Mahomes supports Harrison Butker after controversial speech but disagrees with certain comments
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes isn’t outright condemning teammate Harrison Butker for his controversial commencement speech, but he’s not defending it, either.
Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, The Athletic’s Nate Taylor shared that Mahomes said he judges Butker by what he sees every day and calls him “a good person.”
However, Mahomes also shared that Butker “said certain things I don’t agree with” amid a commencement speech that featured sexist and homophobic views among other questionable comments.
Mahomes is the highest-profile NFL figure to comment on the Butker situation, as the NFL has already disavowed the content of his speech.
Patrick Mahomes on Harrison Butker's commencement speech: "I've known him for seven years. I judge him by the character he shows every day and that's a good person. … We're not always going to agree. He said certain things I don't agree with."
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) May 22, 2024
Fox 4 KC reporter PJ Green added context to Mahomes’ praise of Butker the teammate and friend.
#Chiefs Patrick Mahomes on Harrison Butker: "I judge him by the character that he shows every single day, and that's a good person as someone who cares about the people around him, cares about his family, wants to make a good impact in society. When you're in the locker, there's…
— PJ Green (@ByPJGreen) May 22, 2024
It remains to be seen if more of Butker’s Chiefs teammates will speak out, including tight end Travis Kelce who is in a relationship with musician Taylor Swift. Butker referenced Swift in his speech.