Amidst a swirling controversy surrounding Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s recent comments at a college commencement speech, a sports columnist has ignited a conversation about potentially groundbreaking changes for the NFL team. Butker, who faced backlash for remarks made during a talk at Benedictine College, directed specific criticism towards women, suggesting their greatest fulfillment comes from marriage and motherhood.
During his speech, Butker, expressing his views as a devout Catholic, told the graduates, “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you. 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. I can tell you that my wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say her life truly started when she became a wife and a mother.”
The Chiefs organization has remained silent on Butker’s statements, but the conversation has taken a different turn with a recent op-ed in the Kansas City Star. Columnist Peter Hamm has suggested that the Chiefs could send a powerful message by considering female talent for Butker’s position. Hamm points to Maya Turner, a kicker from the University of Minnesota, as a viable candidate, noting her impressive stats with an 11 out of 14 field goal record and a successful attempt from 48 yards out.
Acknowledging the disparity between Turner’s and Butker’s current skill levels, Hamm underscores the potential for growth and the impact of such a choice on the league. “She may not currently match Butker, who holds the second best all-time field goal success ratio,” Hamm notes. “But with three more years at the collegiate level, there’s room for her to improve.”
Hamm’s proposal extends beyond Turner, suggesting the Chiefs might also consider other female kickers who have made history in college football, such as Liz Heaston, Ashley Martin, Katie Hnida, or Sarah Fuller, indicating a pool of talent ready for the NFL’s call.
This conversation around Butker and the potential for integrating female players into NFL teams not only tackles the issue of Butker’s controversial comments but also opens up broader discussions about gender roles in sports and society. As the discussion continues, it remains to be seen how the Chiefs will address the current controversy and whether the NFL might soon see a female player in its ranks.
