Andy Reid, Who Loves Cheeseburgers, Thinks Harrison Butker Controversy Is A Nothing Burger

Andy Reid has not talked to Harrison Butker about the kicker's commencement speech at Bendictine College.

"Yeah, listen, I talk to Harrison all the time,"the Kansas City Chiefs head coach told reporters Wednesday. "I didn't talk to him about this.

"I didn't think we need to,"

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid is dunked with Orange Gatorade in the 4th quarter vs. the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. (Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)

(Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports)

Andy Reid: Chiefs 'A Microcosm'

And that tells you everything you need to know about how a Super Bowl-winning coach and his defending Super Bowl champions are handling the so-called Harrison Butker controversy.

You'll recall Butker gave that speech that addressed President Biden's abortion stance, contrasted pride month to Godly pride, and addressed the role of women and men in society – all opinions that riled some folks and elicited support from others.

But within the Chiefs … not much of a thing, apparently.

"We're a microcosm of life here," Reid said. "Everybody's from different areas, different religions, different races. And so we all get along. We all respect each other's opinions. Not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everybody to have a voice.

"It's the great thing about America, man. And we're, just like I said, a microcosm of that. I wish, my wish is, everybody could kind of follow that."

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

Mahomes Reacts To Harrison Issue

Super Bowl MVP Partick Mahomes is aware of the speech and didn't love it. But that doesn't diminish the quarterback's opinion of Harrison.

"I know Harrison. I've known him for seven years," Mahomes said. "And I judge him by the character that he shows every single day. And that's a good person. That's someone that cares about the people around him, cares about his family, wants to make a good impact in society. 

"When you're in the locker room there's a lot of people from a lot of different areas of life. They have a lot of different views on everything. And we're not always going to agree. And there are some things he said I don't necessarily agree with. 

"But I understand the person he is and he's trying to do everything he can to lead people in the right direction. That might not be the same values as I have. At the same time, I'm going to judge him by the character he shows every single day, that's a great person."

So what was it Harrison said that Mahomes didn't agree with?

"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."

Joe Biden roasted over March Madness bracket. (Credit: Getty Images)

Reid: Butker Will Visit White House

Reid was not asked, but multiple people within the Chiefs organization have made it plain on background that Butker is not at risk of losing his job. This despite multiple online petitions and editorials in the Kansas City Star advocating for that.

It helps that the Hunt family, which owns the franchise, has had multiple prominent voices support Butker.

Butker is staying and Reid said he will travel with the team to the White House on June 5, for a celebration of the Chiefs' second consecutive Super Bowl championship.

"I'm sure he will, yeah," Reid said.

The Chiefs have had numerous off-field distractions recently. 

It's interesting that amid the booking of receiver Rashee Rice on eight counts related to a hit-and-run crash in Dallas, and the arrest of two offensive linemen last week on charges of misdemeanor marijuana possession, the Butker issue elicited more questions from reporters than the other two situations.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 05: Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs speaks to the media during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium on February 05, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images)

A Question About Women 

One of those questions was whether Reid will have something to say to women who work for the Chiefs if they have a concerns about Butker's stance on women staying home or being in the work force?

The question was framed as Butker "speaking ill" of working women, which he did not do.

"That hasn't happened," Reid responded. "I don't think he was speaking ill of women. He has his opinions and we all respect that.

"I let you guys in this room, and you all have a lot of opinions that I don't like."

Pardon me, while I give Andy Reid a standing ovation from my keyboard. 

I've had NFL coaches call me, "Captain Negative" and other things that actually made headlines in places.

But this understated and off-the-cuff jab is classic.

Chiefs Championship Defense Approaches

One more thing: Reid may not share Butker's opinions. Or he might. We have no idea, because he didn't give his views one way or the other.

But I think we can all share Reid's viewpoint on, well, viewpoints.

"Everybody's got their own opinions," Reid said. "That's what's so great about this country. You can share those things and you work through it. And that's what guys do."

And now a reminder: The Chiefs, along with quarterback Patrick Mahomes, coach Andy Reid and kicker Harrison Butker, open defense of their Super Bowl title on Thursday, Sept. 5.