Colton Underwood, former Bachelor star and ex-NFL player, recently spoke out about the NFL's response to Harrison Butker's controversial commencement address.
In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Underwood expressed his lack of surprise at the NFL's relatively muted reaction to Butker's speech.
Butker, a kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, sparked outrage with his speech at Benedictine College, in which he made divisive statements about women and Pride Month.
Despite calls for his release from the team and petitions garnering hundreds of thousands of signatures, the NFL's response was perceived as minimal.
"It is not surprising to me," Underwood, 32, told Us Weekly. "Look, I’ve been a part of it. At the end of the day, they’re making a business decision. I think that is what needs to be said.
The NFL, as much as it is a sport, it’s an entertainment business."
Underwood, who recently partnered with Pressed Juicery to promote their limited edition PRIDE Pack, emphasized the magnitude of the NFL's influence and the financial stakes involved in its decisions.
"These contracts are bigger than any other TV show. These broadcast deals are massive. Their reach is global now," he added.
In response to Butker's speech, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell stated that the league values "a diversity of opinions and thoughts just like America does." Butker's coach, Andy Reid, echoed a similar sentiment, saying "we all respect each other’s opinions" when questioned about the commencement address.
The controversy deepened when Butker and his Chiefs teammates visited the White House and met President Joe Biden, where Butker made further inflammatory remarks.
Underwood condemned the support of Butker, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with having a public platform. "When you have a platform and you have that reach, you have to set an example," he said.
While acknowledging the freedom of speech, Underwood stressed the importance of being prepared for the consequences of one's words.
"When you enable hate and when you tell somebody that they’re lesser than because of your beliefs, that’s where I have a problem with it," he continued.
The lack of a more forceful response from the NFL has raised questions about the league's stance on controversial statements made by its players.
It has also sparked discussions about the intersection of free speech, personal beliefs, and professional conduct in the context of sports.
As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen how the NFL and other sports organizations will navigate similar situations in the future and how they will balance the principles of free speech with the responsibility to promote inclusivity and respect.
