KC Reporter

Catholic Vote President Brian Burch said Kansas City Chiefs’ Kicker Harrison Butker’s commencement speech where he shared his Catholic beliefs has “had a huge impact in the public square.”

"The commencement address by the Kansas City Chiefs Harrison Butker has proven to have had a huge impact in the public square--and that has been for the good,” Burch told KC Reporter. “The massive increase in the sales of his jersey, and being publicly defended by women at the Chief's organization is just the latest chapter."

Kansas City Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt’s daughter Gracie Hunt has publicly defended Butker after his commencement speech at Benedictine University caused backlash. 

Hunt said she has much respect for Butker and his Catholic faith during an interview with “Fox & Friends” host Steve Doocy and resonated with his encouragement for women to value marriage and motherhood over a career.

“Well, I can only speak from my own experience which is I’ve had the most incredible mom who had the ability to stay home and be with us as kids growing up. And I understand there are women out there who can’t make that decision, but for me in my life, I know it was very formative in shaping me and my siblings to be who we are,” Hunt said.

While there has been some outcry against Butker, and for the Chiefs to fire him, Gracie’s mother Tavia Hunt also defended Butker’s statements on her Instagram account, reported The Daily Caller. “Affirming motherhood and praising your wife, as well as highlighting the sacrifice and dedication it takes to be a mother, is not bigoted,” she wrote.

The Daily Caller also reported on the letter sent by CatholicVote to the NFL questioning their “anti-Catholic bigotry” and “growing hatred, intimidation, and now threats of violence” against Butker and other Americans who share his faith.

Madison, Wisconsin-based Catholic Vote is an advocacy organization that wants to “inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of our faith in public life,” according to the group’s website. Founded in 2008, its president is Brian Burch.