Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Budger noted that he has no regrets about expressing his beliefs in a recent commencement speech and received a « shocking amount of hate » from others.
Budkar, 28, spoke Friday night at the Regina Galley Academy's Courage Under Fire Gala in Nashville, Tennessee.
She made her first public comments since her controversial recent commencement address at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where she said most women who graduate are more interested in getting married and having children; Some Catholic leaders argued that it was « imposing dangerous sexist ideologies on America's youth »; An italic reference to the month of Pride is referred to as « the deadly sin of pride devoted to a month »; and targeting policies of President Joe Biden, including condemning the Supreme Court's reversal of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
« Now, over the past few days, my beliefs or what I believe people have been at the center of countless debates around the world, » Bhatkar said on Friday. « Initially, many expressed shocking levels of hatred. But as the days went by, even those who disagreed with my views shared their support for my religious freedom. »
Budkar, a three-time Super Bowl winner, said he understands criticism for his performance on the field. He said he values his religion more than football.
« It was a decision I made consciously and one I don't regret, » he said.
The NFL has distanced itself from Budger's comments. The league said the comments and « views are not the views of the NFL as an organization. »
Beats quarterback Patrick Mahomes says Budger deserves his beliefs, even if he doesn't always agree with him.
Speaking about Budger on his « New Heights » podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he admires Budger as a teammate.
« When it comes to his comments and what he said [the] Commencement speech, that was his, » Kelce said. « I can't say I agree with most of it, except that he loves his family and his kids. And I don't think I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, about how to lead life, that's not me. »
Kelce also podcasts with his brother Jason, who recently retired after a great career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
