Don’t tell Harrison Butker working women helped him win three Super Bowls | Melissa Jacobs
Meet Kirsten Krug, the Executive Vice President of Administration for the Kansas City Chiefs. She is responsible for player services and, when the Covid pandemic was at its peak, she made sure that the team remained healthy and safe. Moreover, she had the added role of being one of the club's infectious control officers. Tiffany Morton is another valuable member of the team, working as an assistant athletic trainer. Her responsibilities include stretching, icing, and taping up the players to help them perform at their best on the field. Lastly, Rosetta Shinault is a security officer who plays a critical role in maintaining the peace and allowing the players to focus on their job. Together, these women form a critical part of the Chiefs' structure that has led to them winning three Super Bowls in five seasons and enabling Harrison Butker to shine as a kicker.
Regrettably, at times Butker also speaks out.
The outdated and foolish Chiefs kicker started his talk at Benedictine College in Kansas by stating that he always speaks his mind. He then proceeded to belittle female graduates who have aspirations in the workforce. He spoke directly to them by saying that they have been told some very harmful lies. He asked how many of the graduates were thinking about getting promotions and titles, and insinuated that most of them were probably more excited about getting married and having children. Some graduates might go on to have successful careers, but he predicted that most of them would prioritize their family lives instead.
Butker talked about his wife, Isabelle, and how he thinks being a homemaker is an important role. He thinks it's one of the most important titles someone can have. Nowadays, people don't really use the term "homemaker" anymore. Instead, they use "stay-at-home mom," which means a woman decided to stay at home for her own reasons. This choice is just as important as a woman who wants to have a family and have a fulfilling life outside of it. It's okay if a woman wants to do something else. Butker should also know that stay-at-home dads are becoming more common too.
Butker displayed an amusing lack of knowledge when it comes to popular culture. He mentioned Taylor Swift’s words from the game Bejeweled and said, “As my teammate’s girlfriend says: ‘Familiarity breeds contempt.’” If you advocate for women to confine themselves in the kitchen, it might be wise to choose a better source to quote, rather than the most accomplished woman in the world who has openly supported issues like abortion rights and Pride Month – two causes that Butker also criticized in his speech.
Many might be tempted to join the chorus of angry critics demanding Butker's resignation. However, it's important to recognize that he has every right to express his own views, albeit ones that may seem outdated to some. After all, there are countless individuals - including numerous athletes - who share similar perspectives as him.
But there is a positive aspect to Butker's remarks. They were so foolish that they reminded us of the progress that has been made in women's participation in the NFL. This progress is intentional and ongoing, not limited to the Chiefs or entry-level positions. Although the NFL has allowed terrible treatment of women to occur, Butker's behavior is not as bad as some other players', the league has made a major investment in women in the last ten years. The NFL's Women's Careers in Football Forum has been held for eight years, leading to more women seeking jobs in coaching, scouting, and football administration. During the past four years, the number of women who have positions as full-season coaches has increased by 141%, bringing the total to 12.
It's not just coaches - women are now chasing careers in every aspect of football. They have noticed the growing number of female officials, analysts, dietitians, executives, and scouts in the industry. With this in mind, women are taking up leadership positions in college football and training, knowing that they can progress to professional football's highest levels. Players themselves have come to accept that having women in these positions is entirely common.
Furthermore, the NFL has been actively attempting to connect with the LGBTQ community. Jonathan Beane, the NFL's leader of diversity, promptly separated the association from Butker's remarks, stating: "Harrison Butker conveyed his own thoughts and opinions. The NFL does not share his sentiments as an institution," Beane clarified to Outsports. "The NFL remains steadfast in promoting acceptance, which only strengthens our organization."
Over the past few years, the NFL has taken steps to embrace LGBTQ+ rights by introducing a Pride clothing collection, organizing Pride parties during the Super Bowl and arranging LGBTQ+ events for employees. Despite some people's potential shock, the NFL's initiatives for women are being spearheaded by a gay woman named Sam Rapoport. As the senior director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the NFL, Rapoport is here to stay, and this implies that the NFL will become even more inclusive in the future.
Gone are the days where only grumpy and elderly white men dominated the league. Nowadays, the NFL is accessible to women who both pursue careers in and enjoy watching it. Women actively purchase NFL merchandise and some even participate in flag-football, which is now recognized as an official sport in several states. Furthermore, numerous women work tirelessly in Kansas City to make Butker's job less challenging. Instead of belittling them by saying they should be making him sandwiches at home, he ought to appreciate their efforts and express gratitude towards them.
