Exclusive:Harrison Butker Makes Another Speech, This Time At Regina Caeli Academy

On Friday, May 24, Butker returned to the stage for the “Courage Under Fire” gala at Regina Caeli Academy, a traditional Catholic institution in Nashville, Tennessee, where he once again delivered a speech.

“Thank you, thank you,” he began as the crowd cheered for several seconds. “It means a lot, thank you.”

“Good evening, everyone. Thank you for being here in support of Regina Charlie Academy,” he continued. It’s been great to see a lot of friends here tonight and to meet so many of the families that attend our centers across the country.”

Butker then addressed the “fraternity and the Institute,” claiming they have “both been instrumental in [his] formation as a husband and as a father.”

He later addressed the controversy surrounding his commencement speech earlier this month, standing by his beliefs and values, pointing out that “timeless Catholic values are hated by many.”

“The theme for tonight’s gala, ‘Courage Under Fire,’ was decided many months ago, but it now feels providential that this would be the theme after what we have all witnessed these past two weeks,” he said. “If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now.”

“Over the past few days, my beliefs, or what people think I believe, have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe. At the outset, many people expressed a shocking level of hate, but as the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion,” he said, seemingly addressing the comments made by his teammates, Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.

BREAKING: In first public remarks since his commencement speech sparked a liberal meltdown, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker makes very clear he’s not backing down from his faith. @buttkicker7 pic.twitter.com/q3Vh0KpvTg

— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) May 25, 2024

“In my seven years in the NFL, I’ve become familiar with the positive and negative comments, but the majority of them revolve around my performance on the field,” the kicker continued. “But as to be expected, the more I’ve talked about what I value most, which is my Catholic faith, the more polarizing I have become.”

“It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and none I do not regret at all,” he added.