Harrison Butker, who kicked the game-winning field goal for the Kansas City Chiefs in February’s Super Bowl, encouraged graduates at his alma mater to put God and family first. He gave the commencement speech at Georgia Tech this weekend.
“I am someone not much older than all of you, yet I’ve been asked to speak, not because I am a great orator or because I have a number of impressive accolades,” Butker said, according to Fox News. “Well, I guess I do have two Super Bowl rings. I just happen to be blessed by God to be really good at kicking a funny-shaped ball between two yellow posts.”
Butker said he planned to “pop off some hard truths” in his speech. He said that it doesn’t matter how much money you earn or the amount of success that comes to you career-wise — “none of it will matter if you are alone and devoid of purpose.”
He gave the graduating class some poignant advice on how to have a fulfilling life. “I’m not sure the root of this, but at least I can offer one controversial antidote that I believe will have a lasting impact for generations to come — get married and start a family,” he said.
Butker added that none of the accomplishments in his career could be compared to the happiness he gets from his family.
“While I’m still striving to be a better, more virtuous man, I’m confident that with God and with my wife by my side, I can do more than I ever could have imagined alone,” he said.
Butker told the students that as they move forward in life, they will face challenges and added that there is a “war on truth” in the world.
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Many have lost respect for the dignity of the human person, he said.
“Gone are the days when a plurality of thought was accepted and encouraged. Instead, freedom of thought has been replaced by a culture built on cancellations for those who disagree,” he continued.
Butker encouraged the students to “take risks at the expense of being silenced.”
“There will always be critics and those that disagree with our viewpoints; however, if we shy away from confrontation, then the only voices left will be the ones with the most power,” Butker said.
He concluded: “I pray that something I’ve said has resonated with you all and that no matter what happens from here on out, remember your purpose, focus on meaningful relationships, and know that, with or without the spotlight, your life has value, and you are meant for more.”
Butker kicked the go-ahead field goal for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII as Kansas City defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice