Social Media’s Effort To Have Kicker Harrison Butker Released By The Chiefs Is Gaining Significant Traction

Harrison Butcker (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
A petition to have kicker Harrison Butker released by the Kansas City Chiefs is gaining significant traction online following his controversial comments.

Butker has received lots of criticism since he made a commencement speech at Benedictine College in Kansas in which he condemned Pride Month, slammed transgenders, and advocated for women to embrace their roles as homemakers.

The NFL has since issued a statement distancing itself from the Chiefs kicker, claiming his views are not the league’s.

It reads as follows:

“In a statement obtained by TODAY.com, the NFL’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, said the kicker ‘gave a speech in his personal capacity.’”

“His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.

People Want The Kansas City Chiefs To Cut Harrison Butker

Harrison Butker hasn’t faced any discipline for his speech, and he probably won’t. But a Change.org petition to get him released by his team had reached over 178,000 signatures at the time of writing.

“We demand accountability from our sports figures who should be role models promoting respect for all people regardless of their race, gender identity or sexual orientation,” the petition reads. “We call upon the Kansas City Chiefs management to dismiss Harrison Butker immediately for his inappropriate conduct.

“Please sign this petition if you stand with us against discrimination and believe in fostering an inclusive society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.”

The Chiefs have not addressed Butker’s viral speech.

Meanwhile, a petition rivaling the one to get him cut has also gone up online. At the time of writing, it had just over 10,000 signatures.