Jason Kelce Values Opinions Of People Who Know Harrison Butker Over Strangers Who Don't | Armando Salguero

The portrait one gets of Harrison Butker from the people who know him and spend time with him is much different than the strangers upset over his two-week-old commencement speech – even when both sides may disagree with the Chiefs kicker.

And that's the point Jason Kelce, soon to be an analyst on ESPN's Monday Night Football pregame show, is making in the latest episode of the New Heights podcast with his brother Travis Kelce:

To know Butker is to appreciate and respect him. And the opinion of strangers isn't quite as valuable.

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 15: Jason Kelce #62 of the Philadelphia Eagles plays during the NFC Wild Card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on January 15, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Jason Kelce Gets It

"It's always great to hear from people that really actually know people [than] a bunch of people reacting to comments without really ever having met the guy," Jason Kelce said. "I think the teammates' reactions with the Chiefs, I think Andy Reid's reaction, you learn more about people with who they are on a daily basis." 

The reaction to Butker's speech in recent days has included comments from Chiefs coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes and now Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, too.

This joined previous support from teammate Chris Jones and members of the Clark family that own the Chiefs.

And the scope of all the reaction from people who know and work with Butker is that everyone so far has voiced support for who he is. 

And that has come even when some of those serving as sort of character witnesses on behalf of Butker don't agree with his takes on the role of women and men, and President Biden and pride month.

KANSAS CITY, MO - SEPTEMBER 24: Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on before kickoff against the Chicago Bears at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Travis Kelce Knows His Teammate

"I've known him for seven-plus years, probably eight-plus years, and I cherish him as a teammate," Travis Kelce said. "I think Pat said it best where, he is every bit of a great person and a great teammate. He's treated friends and family that I've introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness. And that's how he treats everyone.

"When it comes down to his views and what he said at [Benedictine College] commencement speech, those are his. I can't say I agree the majority of it, or just about any of it outside of him loving his family and his kids. And I don't think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views of how to go about life. That's just not who I am."

While stiff-arming people who don't know Butker for taking up petitions and leveling rebukes – some of which showed little integrity – Jason Kelce wants everyone to know he's not necessarily on Butker's side on some issues.

But he can still plant a flag on his contrary position with understanding and nuance.

"There's always going to be the opinions everybody shares that you're going to disagree with," Jason Kelce said. "Make no mistake about it, a lot of the things he said during his commencement speech are not things I align myself with. But he's giving a commencement speech at a Catholic university and, shocker, it ended up being a very religious and Catholic speech.

"To me, I can listen to somebody talk and take great value in it. Like when he's talking about the importance of family and the importance a great mother can make, while also acknowledging that not everybody has to be a homemaker if that's what they want to do in life."  

Does Patrick Mahomes have a beer belly? The internet seems to think so, and is reacting accordingly. See the best reactions. (Credit: Getty Images)

Chiefs Teach Everyone A Lesson

This is where the Chiefs have succeeded in showing the rest of society that people can disagree without becoming disagreeable.

Remember, Mahomes is the face of the franchise. What he says carries weight. And he didn't like swaths of Butker's speech.

But, ultimately, he's on Butker's side.

"I think there's just certain values some people emphasize more than others," Mahomes said. "There are just certain things I didn't necessarily agree with, but at the same time, I'm not going to judge him by that. 

"I judge him by the way he acts every single day. I'm not going to get into the full details of the entire speech, but I know what type of person that he is. I'm going to look at that first and then let the other stuff kind of handle itself."

Jason Kelce paid close attention to what the Chiefs said to figure out exactly where he stands on Butker.

"I thought what they said was outstanding," the elder Kelce added.

And now the part where it becomes clear Jason Kelce is going to be interesting as a television analyst: He shared an exchange he and his wife had in discussing the Butker speech.

"My wife, she was, I think, a little bit frustrated with some of the comments," Kelce said. "And then she asked, I said listen, ‘You’re going to need to go back in the kitchen and make me a sandwich. I'm listening to the game right now.'"

The Kelces shared a good laugh.