Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel responds to Harrison Butker’s controversial comments

The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to headlines—from Super Bowl triumphs to Taylor Swift. But all the wrong reasons have been drawing attention this offseason. Kicker Harrison Butker was the most recent Chief to cause the PR staff anxiety, adding insult to injury after making a number of contentious remarks during a speech at Benedictine College’s commencement.

Butker ridiculed women on campus during her commencement speech, saying that a woman’s primary priority should be on becoming a wife and mother. The day was devoted to honoring the hard work and accomplishments of the Class of 2024. Teams like the Miami Dolphins are thrilled to avoid the situation, since it has been a PR nightmare for the Chiefs.

To put it mildly, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel was taken aback when Miami beat reporter Chris Perkins posed a question regarding Butker’s remarks made during OTAs.

“I’m happy you inquired,” McDaniel said. “If the players are unfamiliar with the circumstances, I believe you need to let them see their platform. They need to realize, in my opinion, that the things you say have the potential to be splintered and stick with you forever. It’s important that you actually believe anything you’re going to say. You simply work to make people aware of the effects of what they do.

McDaniel made a wise decision by incorporating Butker’s ideas into his own coaching and leadership philosophy rather than directly criticizing him.