Is Harrison Butker still invited to the White House amid commencement speech backlash? Latest on kicker’s status for Chiefs Super Bowl visit to DC
Harrison Butker has landed himself in a deep controversial net with his commencement speech at a Catholic school. This has left many wondering if the controversy will hamper Butker’s upcoming visit to the White House with the Kansas City Chiefs. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre shed more light on this topic recently.
It is customary for the President to invite the entire team for a visit to the White House. Apart from the Chiefs’ win in 2020, the whole team was present with President Joe Biden to celebrate their Super Bowl win last time. The press secretary confirmed that this will be the case once again this year.
During the recent media briefing, CNN’s MJ Lee pushed Jean-Pierre to commit regarding Butker’s presence at the White House for the celebrations. She asked at the briefing:
“So can you confirm, you said everyone on the team is obviously invited. Is the Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker welcomed at this White House?”
And the press secretary in line with the tradition clarified the stance of the White House on this matter for the media members and the fans across the country. Ms. Jean-Pierre said:
“What I can say is we invite the entire team and we do that always. I don’t have anything beyond that.”
Even though the final date has not yet been announced for the Chiefs’ visit at the White House, it is almost certain that Harrison Butker will be present if the Chiefs choose to invite him.
Harrison Butker has few defenders
After the Chiefs kicker’s speech went viral, he faced a ton of vitriol from all corners. There’s even a petition to get him sacked from the Chiefs. However, Harrison Butker found an ally in The View host Whoopi Goldberg. She said on her show:
"I like when people say what they need to say. He’s at a Catholic college, he’s a staunch Catholic. These are his beliefs and he’s welcome to them.”
The NFL has distanced itself from the three-time Super Bowl winner’s comments. The Chiefs or Butker have not made any further comments in this regard while the controversy rallies on.