NFL quarterback’s wife knocks Harrison Butker’s divisive commencement speech

Kelly Stafford, who is married to Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, posted online criticizing Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker after his divisive commencement speech went viral.

Stafford, who posted her comments to her podcast’s Instagram story, took issue with Butker’s address from last Saturday at Benedictine College, a Catholic liberal arts college in Kansas. Butker said most of the female graduates were likely more excited about getting married and having children than earning their degrees.

His comments have drawn sharp criticism and a distancing from the NFL. Stafford attempted to stand up for the female graduates.

“I just want to point out a few things. It is a choice. It is a woman’s choice whether she is just a mom. It is a woman’s choice whether she decides to be a career woman. It is a woman’s choice if she decides to do both and balance and do all that,” Stafford said. “And I think for someone to get up at a commencement speech and tell women who have been working their butts off for four years, possibly paying their way and are now in debt and they’re gonna need a career, that their biggest success story will be being a mom and a wife — and don’t get me wrong, that might be. But it’s their choice whether they do that or not.”

Many people are taking issue with the kicker’s speech where he said women have had “the most diabolical lies told to” them.

“How many of you are sitting here now about to cross the stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you’re going to get in your career?” Butker said to the students. “Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”

Stafford noted that it’s tough because “we constantly tear each other down,” and both men and women need to build one another up.

“You know what? There are some bright a‑‑ women that can change this world. And to tell them that they don’t really belong in the workplace?”

She noted that Stafford’s comments against in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the speech “really hit home.” She said some women have trouble getting pregnant but she knows women raise their kids to make the world a better place.

In a post on her personal Instagram page, Stafford added that she is happy being a stay-at-home mom but “that’s not every woman’s story nor should it have to be.”

“Some women choose not to stay home and some women don’t have the luxury to choose. We all might not agree on everything, but I think we all want the same end goal, a better world for our kids. I think supporting and encouraging women and men in whatever roles they choose is a great first step towards that goal,” she wrote.