Travis Kelce's Reaction to Harrison Butker's Taylor Swift Quote Speaks Volumes About Their Romance

It’s been almost two weeks since Benedictine College graduates heard Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s controversial commencement speech. Besides the misogynistic rhetoric, the football player also dropped a Taylor Swift quote and referred to the mega-successful superstar as “my teammate’s girlfriend” — not exactly the introduction she’s used to.

Fans have been eagerly awaiting Travis Kelce’s response, and now, he’s finally broken his silence. It may not be the response Swifties were exactly hoping for, but his reaction makes complete sense. The 34-year-old NFL superstar addressed the issue on the May 24 episode of his New Heights podcast with brother Jason Kelce. “I cherish him as a teammate,” Travis respectfully shared. “He’s treated family and family that I’ve introduced to him with nothing but respect and kindness. And that’s how he treats everyone.”

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Travis gracefully explained the difference in their viewpoints but refused to criticize him publicly. “When it comes down to his views and what he said at Saint Benedict’s commencement speech, those are his,” he added. “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids. And I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life, that’s just not who I am.” The tight end had high praise for his childhood in the Cleveland Heights neighborhood that showed him “a broad spectrum, just a broad view of a lot of different walks of life” and he “appreciated every single one of those people for different reasons.”

What about Butker referring to Swift in his speech? Well, Travis remained silent, and it was a smart decision. If he had reacted to Butker’s poor decision to quote the pop star’s 2022 single, “Bejeweled,” sharing the line, “familiarity breeds contempt,” it would have only fired up Swifties a second time. His girlfriend’s core focus is delivering a great show to her fans during the European leg of the Eras Tour, she doesn’t need to deal with media headlines. That’s likely why Travis respected her peace, he knows she has a huge job ahead and he holds her and her work in high regard.

Butker didn’t fare as well when it came to Maria Shriver’s reaction to his “homemaker” comments. She shared a lengthy post on X that reminded the athlete that he was in a position of financial privilege to have his wife stay home and raise their kids. “Most families can’t get by without both parents working. It’s a luxury to get the choice she has gotten. The vast majority of women have to put food on the table, while also raising kids, caring for aging parents, running companies… the list goes on!” She summed up her rant by noting that his words lacked “dignity” and respect” for women in the U.S.

Before you go, click to see all of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s cutest PDA moments.

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