Taylor Swift Fans Outraged Harrison Butker Quoted Her Lyrics In Controversial Commencement Speech, Says He Has No Regrets
Swifites are enraged that Harrison Butker reverenced Taylor Swift in a speech that proclaimed a woman's place is in the home.
The Kansas City Chiefs kicker spoke at Benedictine College in Kansas, and during his commencement speech, he addressed the women of the crowd specifically.
"For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives," he said. "I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.
Butker continued: "How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world."
The 28-year-old even referenced his own wife, Isabelle, who "would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and as a mother. I'm on the stage today and able to be the man I am because I have a wife who leans into her vocation. I'm beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker."
As the women of Benedictine College sat, waiting to graduate after years of academic striving, they were told in their final moments that, specifically for them, their professional successes do not matter. Their most important role would be homemaker.
Swifties were reportedly offended the Decatur, Georgia, native quoted Swift.
In discussing the role of priests in the Catholic Church, Butker joked, "This undue familiarity will prove to be problematic every time, because as my teammate's girlfriend says, familiarity breeds contempt."
The teammate he was referring to was Travis Kelce, Swift's boyfriend. The lyric referenced is from the singer's hit song "Bejeweled" (2022).She sings, "Familiarity breeds contempt so put me in the basement when I want the penthouse of your heart."
Fans flooded social media with thoughts.
He should never have used her lyrics. He will regret that.
— Britt 🪶🪽 (@britt_swiftie13) May 14, 2024
In posting a video of the speech, one Twiter user shared, "I dare Harrison Butker to tell Taylor Swift she has no value unless she is a wife, homemaker, and mother." Another angry fan commented, "He never should have used her lyric. He will regret that."
While considered a phenomenal lyricist by global standards, Swift, 34, did not invent the phrase "familiarity breeds contempt." It's a common expression tracing back hundreds of years. It was first used by Geoffrey Chaucer in year 1300. The statement was reportedly made in jest, meant to lighten the mood in the midst of strong and controversial points.
Furthermore, Swiftes took offense to the Grammy Award winner being described as his "teammate's girlfirend." One commenter wrote: "Reducing her to 'my teammate's girlfriend' is so gross too."
"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," Butker said, according to the Associated Press Friday. "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."
"It's a decision I've consciously made," he continued. "And one I do not regret at all."
