Super Bowl LIX: 6 Christians starring in Sunday's big game
1. Harrison Butker
Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, an outspoken Roman Catholic, sparked a national media firestorm last May when he delivered the commencement speech at Benedictine College, a Catholic institution of higher education based in Kansas.
During his address, Butker condemned what he viewed as an inadequate witness by public figures identifying as Catholic yet openly advocating for practices that directly contradict Church teaching.
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Butker, 29, elaborated on his faith in an interview with EWTN last year.
He discussed how he was working to instill a love of the rosary in his children and sought to attend mass with his family every Sunday, even amid the demands of football season.
"I can't miss out on these moments with my children, and I prioritized that this season and it's amazing that God allowed me to have the best season of my career," he said.
Butker also praised the Traditional Latin Mass, describing the liturgy as "amazing" and noting how the Fraternity of St. Peter has "been able to provide priests for all the away games Saturday night before the games in the hotels to celebrate this beautiful liturgy."
In his speech at Benedictine College, Butker didn't hold back his views about former President Joe Biden.
"Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally," Butker asserted. "He has been so vocal in his support for the murder of innocent babies that I'm sure to many people, it appears that you can be both Catholic and pro-choice."
Butker delivered a call to action to the graduates gathered in the audience, stressing to them that "Being Catholic alone doesn't cut it."
"We must always speak and act in charity but never mistake charity for cowardice," he said.
Urging the crowd to follow his lead and "speak more boldly and directly" in defense of the Catholic faith, Butker insisted, "It is our duty and ultimately privilege to be authentically and unapologetically Catholic."
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
