Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has a different perspective on women’s roles from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.
Hurts discussed the subject during a speech at the recent annual Eagles’ Women’s Football Festival.
“Women are [thrust]into positions to have to overcome this, overcome that, and they lack the respect that they deserve,” said the 25-year-old Pro Bowl signal caller.
“I’m here advocating for it, not only in football but in every situation,” Hurts added to a huge applause. “We all know the woman is the rock of everything.”
Hurts’s stance is in direct opposition to the opinions shared by Butker during his now-infamous commencement speech at Benedictine College, which went viral earlier this month.
While addressing the graduating class, Butker told the women in the audience that they had been told “diabolical lies” about life. He believed that a woman’s greatest role in life is to be a “homemaker.”
“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,” Butker told the audience.
Butker’s remarks sparked a massive public outcry, with a number of celebrities weighing in to mostly condemn his words. Some celebrities, like Whoopi Goldberg, said he has a right to his opinion and free speech. Meanwhile, some outraged Chiefs fans started an online petition calling for his release from the team that has garnered almost a quarter of a million signatures.
To Hurts’ credit, he has always been vocal about the indispensable role women have played in his personal and professional life.
In addition to his close relationships with his mother, Pamela, and sister, Kynnedy, Hurts employs an all-female management team led by powerful agent Nicole Lynn.