CELEBRITY
Two Chiefs players arrested early Friday – will NFL condemn them too?
The self-purported strength from the NFL’s “commitment to inclusion” was immediately put to the test when two player arrests were made as a backdrop to the Harrison Butker backlash.
Christians and First Amendment supporters across America, particularly women, sent a strong message to the league and leftists alike as social media campaigns and jersey sales demonstrated favor for both the Catholic kicker and his faith-fueled message to graduating students.
A less than full-throated endorsement of Butker’s right to free speech and the free exercise of his religious beliefs from the NFL was regarded by many as a condemnation of his remarks at Benedictine College, boxing in the rap sheet-laden league as two of the kicker’s Kansas City Chiefs teammates were arrested Thursday for misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
According to a report from KSHB, offensive linemen Wanya Morris and Chukwuebuka, both 23-years-old, were taken into custody by the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department in Kansas, booked into Johnson County Adult Detention Center early Friday morning, and made video appearances before a county judge later that day.
Since their release following posted bonds of $2,500 a piece, the league had remained silent regarding the charges brought against them. Likewise, as KSBH noted, “A team spokesperson said the club was aware of the charges but said the club would not have any additional comment.”
The latest run-ins with the law followed wide receiver Rashee Rice’s arrest in Dallas, Texas in March for his alleged involvement in a six-car crash while driving nearly 120 mph. That Chiefs player faces one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, one count of aggravated assault and six counts of collision involving injury.
While the league has appeared more than enthusiastic to embrace the stardom of Taylor Swift’s beau, the beer-guzzling tight end Travis Kelce, as well as quarterback Patrick Mahomes and his wife Brittany who recently graced the pages of Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition, a cookie cutter corporate response was the best the league could muster for Butker.
“Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity,” stated NFL’s senior vice president Jonathan Beane, the league’s chief diversity and inclusion officer. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger.”
Unlike the tepid response from the NFL over the kicker’s endorsement of traditional family values, support for the sanctity of life and adherence to the Catechism of the Catholic Church as opposed to the postures of self-styled Catholics like President Joe Biden, members of Chiefs owner Clark Hunt’s immediate family embraced Butker’s message.
Appearing live on “Fox & Friends” Friday, Hunt’s daughter, Gracie Hunt, told co-host Steve Doocy, “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.”
“So you understand what he was talking about?” asked Doocy to which she replied, “For sure. And I really respect Harrison and his Christian faith and what he’s accomplished on and off the field.”
Similarly, her mother, Tavia Hunt, took to social media with her own biblical message on parenthood.