Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, addressing the graduation class of 2023 at Georgia Institute of Technology’s commencement ceremonies, May 6. OSV News photo/courtesy Georgia Institute of Technology
“Anyone with eyes can see that something is off,” said Harrison Butker, addressing the crowd gathered for commencement at his alma mater, Georgia Tech. “It would seem the more connected people are to one another, the more they feel alone,” the two-time Super Bowl champion said.
Directly addressing today’s loneliness epidemic, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker proceeded to offer the class of 2023 some powerful countercultural advice.
Butker pitted success against fulfillment, arguing that plenty of smart and talented people are successful but remain unhappy. “In the end, no matter how much money you attain, none of it will matter if you are alone and devoid of purpose,” he said.
But why was this such a great speech?
First, it was remarkable because Butker subtly referenced God and Scripture throughout his text. He insisted his talents were “God-given” and noted that all of our deeds, even those things done in darkness, will someday be brought to light. In an extremely inviting and uncompromising way, the frame of his speech used a Christian worldview. In an address at a secular school, Butker winsomely encouraged those in attendance that Christians believe in the meaning and purpose of life bestowed on us all by our creator.
In a world where professionals, teachers and coaches are discouraged from bringing their faith to bear in the public square, Butker’s humble example shows how to insist that Catholics don’t share the same account of the universe as nonbelievers. By insisting our gifts are God-given and alluding to Scripture, his speech was open to the transcendent truths of faith in a way that simply encouraging people to be the best version of themselves or discussing vague values is not. Read More>>>