In a surprising turn of events, the National Football League (NFL) has disavowed Kansas City Chiefs placekicker Harrison Butker's recent commencement address at Benedictine College. Butker's speech, which criticized Pride month, working women, abortion rights activists, and others, received backlash from various organizations and individuals, prompting the NFL to distance itself from his remarks.

The NFL's senior vice-president, Jonathan Beane, issued a statement expressing that Butker's views are not aligned with the league's commitment to inclusion. He clarified that Butker gave the speech in his personal capacity and that his opinions do not represent the NFL as an organization.

Butker's controversial speech also drew criticism from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), which described it as "woefully out of step" with Americans' views on Pride, LGBTQ rights, and women's issues. The Benedictine Sisters of Mount Saint Scholastica, the co-founders of Benedictine College, also released a statement asserting that Butker's comments did not reflect the values of the college.

Despite the backlash, Butker's jersey sales have skyrocketed, largely due to conservative supporters who have embraced him as a symbol in the ongoing culture war. According to NFL.com, his jersey was among the top-selling items as of Thursday, surpassing even those of his teammate Travis Kelce. However, Kelce's support for vaccines, the Black Lives Matter movement, and his relationship with Taylor Swift has drawn strong opposition from the far-right.

Local news station KCTV reported that a store named the Rally House completely sold out of Butker jerseys following the speech's controversy. Store manager Aaron Lewis shared that there has been increased demand for Butker's jersey from both men and women.

One notable supporter of Butker's speech is Missouri Senator Josh Hawley, who is known for his far-right views, particularly his opposition to abortion. Hawley expressed his admiration for Butker's call to stand up for one's convictions and praised his rejection of what he referred to as "lefty garbage."

In his commencement address, Butker discussed "dangerous gender ideologies" and voiced his opposition to abortion, citing a perceived "pervasiveness of disorder." These arguments aligned with Butker's conservative Catholic beliefs, which are well-known among fans and players alike. The 28-year-old kicker is also celebrated for his on-field accomplishments, particularly his game-changing field goal during the Super Bowl victory over the San Francisco 49ers.

Benedictine College invited Butker to speak at the commencement ceremony, coincidentally marking three years since the college removed its former chaplain for alleged inappropriate conduct with a female student. However, the college's association with controversy does not end there.

A recent report by the Chicago Sun-Times uncovered a disturbing case involving an Illinois-based monk, associated with the religious order affiliated with Benedictine, who pleaded guilty to felony battery against a former student. The monk has now been added to a list of organization members deemed to have been credibly accused of child sexual abuse.

As Butker's controversial speech continues to stir debate and divide opinions, the NFL's disavowal and the support from conservative circles highlight the ongoing clash of ideologies within American society.