Kansas City Chiefs CEO’s Wife and Daughter Speak Out on Commencement Speech Fallout
The wife and eldest daughter of Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt have spoken out on the issue surrounding kicker Harrison Butker’s commencement speech at a Catholic college.
Tavia Hunt, who has been married to a wealthy businessman for over 30 years, expressed her perspective on being a stay-at-home mother. May 16, five days after the sportsman created controversy with his statements at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., in which he stated that most female grads would be “most excited” about marriage and motherhood.
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“I’ve always encouraged my daughters to be highly educated and chase their dreams,” the 52-year-old, who also has daughters Gracie Hunt, 25, and Ava Hunt, 18, and son Knobel Hunt, 20, with Clark, said on Instagram, along with flashback photos of herself with her children. “I want children to understand that they may do whatever they want (with honoring God).
But I also want them to know that I feel that finding a spouse who loves and honors you as much as or more than he does himself and having a family together is one of the greatest privileges this planet has to offer.” Tavia proceeded, “Affirming motherhood, thanking your wife, and emphasizing the sacrifice and dedication required to be a mother is not discriminatory. It is empowering to see that a woman’s efforts in raising children are not in vain.
Countless highly educated women spend their lives raising and mentoring their children. Someone disagreeing with you does not entail hatred; it simply means they hold a different viewpoint.” Tavia, who did not address Harrison by name, urged people to “celebrate families, motherhood, and fatherhood.”
“Our society desperately needs dedicated men and women to raise up and train the next generation in the way they should go,” she stated. “We need more dialogue (and VALUES, IMO) in this country and less hate.”
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Gracie expressed her opinions on Harrison’s speech on May 17. “I’ve had the most incredible mother who was able to stay home and be with us as children growing up,” she told Fox News’ Fox & Friends. “I understand that many women are unable to make that decision. But for me and my life, I know it was formative and helped shape me and my siblings into who we are.”
When asked if she understood what Harrison was saying in his speech, Gracie said, “For sure, and I respect Harrison and his Christian faith and what he’s accomplished on and off the field.”
Harrison, 28, has not replied publicly to criticism of his address, in which he asked the female graduates directly, “How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you will achieve in your career? Some of you may go on to have excellent jobs, but I believe the bulk of you are most enthusiastic about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
At the same time, Harrison added that “things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values in media, all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.” In a subsequent part of his speech, he referenced a lyric from Taylor Swift, who is dating Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce, and referred to the 14-time Grammy winner only as “teammate’s girlfriend.”
During the uproar, the NFL published its response to the Chiefs kicker’s comments. “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his capacity,” the league’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, Jonathan Beane, told People. “His opinions do not represent the NFL as an organization. The NFL remains unwavering in its commitment to inclusion, which only strengthens our league.”