The Chiefs kicker who told women to be 'homemakers' rather than have careers has a physicist mother

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker faced backlash after encouraging women to embrace being "homemakers" in a commencement speech.

• Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker faced backlash for saying women should focus on being homemakers.
• He made the comments during a commencement address at Benedictine College's graduation ceremony.
• Butker mom's is a physicist at Emory.

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker gave some controversial advice to young women during his commencement address at Benedictine College's graduation ceremony on Saturday. Now, some critics are pointing out the irony in his message.

During his speech at the Catholic college, the NFL player, known for being an outspoken conservative Catholic, told the women in the graduating class they'd been fed "diabolical lies."

"How many of you are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you're going to get in your career?" he asked. "Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world."

He praised his wife for supporting his career as she took on "one of the most important titles of all: homemaker" instead of fulfilling her previous dream of having a career of her own. At one point, he also quoted lyrics from Taylor Swift, a noted career woman (and billionaire) — an irony that wasn't lost on Swift's fanbase.

Celebrities and people online quickly spoke out against Butker's message, which also took aim at LGBTQ+ and abortion rights. Some critics zeroed in on the fact that Butker's mother is a career woman.

Several users on X pointed out that Butker's mother, Elizabeth Keller Butker, is a physicist.

"Harrison Butker's mom is a medical physicist in the oncology department at Emory. I can't believe this guy's mommy issues ruined graduation for the women at Benedictine College," one user posted on X.

Elizabeth Keller Butker's name and photo are featured on the Emory University School of Medicine's Radiation Oncology staff page, and she's listed as a clinical medical physicist. According to a LinkedIn page that appears to belong to Butker's mother, she earned her undergraduate degree from Smith College and has worked at Emory since June 1988. A representative for Emory did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

The NFL has disavowed the comments Butker made in his speech and reiterated that they're committed to inclusivity.

Butker, his wife, or his mom haven't spoken out publicly about Butker's graduation speech comments. Butker's representative didn't respond to previous requests for comment from BI.