Eddie Vedder Offers Profane, Yet Thoughtful, Response to Harrison Butker Controversy

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder interrupted his Las Vegas concert over the weekend to jeer Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial graduation speech.

Butker ignited controversy on May 11 during a commencement address at Benedictine University that many decreed as misogynist and homophobic. Butker ranted against “abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for the degenerate cultural values and media all stem from pervasiveness of disorder." He also urged those present to "be unapologetic in [their] masculinity…fight against the cultural emasculation of men," and advised women to stop pursuing their dreams and instead become a homemaker.

At his MGM Grand concert on Saturday night, Vedder took time between songs to address Butker’s remarks.

“There should be pride in homemaking if you’re a man or a woman,” Vedder contested. “It’s one of the hardest jobs and you should definitely take pride in it, but you’re going to benefit by giving up your dreams?” he asked rhetorically. “I couldn’t understand the logic, so I’m questioning it in public right now,” Vedder continued, before adding definitively, “It’s not a graduation speech.”

Vedder went on: “The irony was that the football player—well, kicker…You see the kicker doesn’t have the pads because he doesn’t tackle anybody or get tackled—but he started telling men, ‘Don’t forget to puff up your chest and be more masculine. Don’t lose your masculinity.’ The irony was that when he was saying that, he looked like such a f---ing p---y.”

To enthusiastic cheers from the audience, Vedder added, “There’s nothing more masculine than a strong man supporting a strong woman.”

Vedder is far from the only person condemning Butker’s remarks. Just days after the address, the NFL distanced itself from Butker’s speech.

"[Butker] gave a speech in his personal capacity," said Jonathan Beane, the league’s senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer. "His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger."