‘We’re a microcosm of life here’: Chiefs’ Mahomes, Reid speak up for Butker

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Following a controversial commencement speech given at a Kansas Catholic university’s graduation ceremony by Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker, his teammates and coach are now speaking up.

On Wednesday, May 22, Kansas City Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Coach Andy Reid appeared in front of a room full of reporters to speak up on behalf of the kicker.

Mahomes, who has known Butker for about 7 years, said that while he may not agree with what was said during the speech, he does believe everyone is allowed their own opinion.

“But, I understand the person that he is and he’s trying to do whatever he can to lead people in the right direction,” Mahomes told reporters. “They may not be the same values that I have, but at the same time, I’m going to judge him on the character that he shows every single day - and that’s a great person.”

The Quarterback concluded that the team would continue to come together during the off-season to continue to build on a Bowl winning streak and that includes eliminating distractions.

“I think that’s what makes this country so great, is that you’re able to get as much knowledge as you can and then you make your own decisions,” Mahomes continued. “It gets a little divisive sometimes when you get to social media and you get to outside the building. But in the building, you can have those healthy discussions and still be friends at the end of the day even though you might not agree with exactly the same things.”

In agreement about what makes the nation great, Coach Reid said he has not talked to Butker about his divisive comments because he did not think he needed to.

“We’re a microcosm of life here, everybody is from different areas, different religions, different races,” Reid continued. “We all get along, we all respect each other’s opinions and not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everybody to have a voice, that’s the great thing about America man.”

Reid concluded the statements with a plea that everyone goes by that.

Earlier in the day, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell refused to comment further on the controversy and referred back to the league’s statement made the week before. Butker’s “views are not those of the NFL as an organization,” read the statement.

“We have over 3,000 players,” Goodell told the AP. “We have executives around the league that have a diversity of opinions and thoughts just like America does. I think that’s something that we treasure, and that’s part of, I think, ultimately what makes us as a society better.”

Mahomes and Reid join a growing list of celebrities that have either spoken up for or against the Chiefs kicker and his statements.

As for Wednesday’s Chiefs practice itself, rookie first round draft pick Xavier Worthy did not practice. The former Texas wide receiver tweaked his hamstring earlier in the week, but Reid’s first impressions are that he’s smart and understanding what’s being thrown at him.

Wednesday was a spirited and vocal practice with jawing from both sides of the ball.

“As years go on you start playing against the same guys, there’s that competitive trash talk. Guys like Drue (Tranquill), Nick (Bolton), DBs, you talk trash in the locker room but love each other too,” Mahomes said. “We’re trying to be great every single day. they have to learn how to be great, we have to push them. It’s why you see me yelling at them to be great… They have to be good fast, we aren’t waiting for them to develop, we want them to be great right away.”

“We got the greatest on the planet that we go against every day,” Nick Bolton said. “We’re gonna get tested every single day we love it.” Bolton added that Drue Tranquill really got Mahomes fired up, and that it takes everybody to create energy every day.

Cornerback Trent McDuffie told reporters that Mahomes was throwing a lot of deep balls, and is glad to have his fellow third-year defensive back Bryan Cook back in the mix.

“It’s exciting. From battling injury, to see him smiling out there getting out of his breaks, you love to see him back out there.” McDuffie said. “We’re rolling. Pat got some weapons, but we’re battling this year, it’s going to sharpen my tools even more.”

New Chiefs wide receiver Hollywood Brown hauled in a one-handed touchdown catch on Wednesday.

“I like what I’ve seen from the new guys. Hollywood and Pat are developing a nice little chemistry there,” Reid said. “It’s good for the rookies to get exposed to the veteran players.”

In regards to Kansas City’s new regular season schedule, Mahomes said his first hope is to play better on Christmas Day this year. In response to playing on six different days, Reid said:

“They could give us a Tuesday game if they want, we’re good with, we’ll play anyone anywhere.”

Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.