Mike McDaniel Shares Sound Advice For Players Following Harrison Butker's Speech

It's been nearly two weeks since Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker delivered his commencement speech at Benedictine College that many found offensive, but it's still the biggest talking point in the NFL. With OTAs rolling on around the league, Mike McDaniel became the latest to be asked about Butker's speech, and the Miami Dolphins' head coach offered up some sound advice.

McDaniel was specifically asked how he handles his team's locker room when it comes to his players voicing their beliefs and opinions. After sarcastically telling the reporter "I'm glad you asked," he explained his stance on the situation.

"I think you do have to open the eyes of the players to their platform if they’re new to the situation," McDaniel said. "I think you have to understand that what you say publicly can be fragmented and last with you forever."

"I really emphasize that whatever you’re going to say, you better believe it. You just try to educate people to understand the consequences of whatever they do. They have the freedom of choice, and if they want to go that direction, go right ahead."

It's tough to criticize anything McDaniel said. NFL players, all of them, have platforms, and if they do or say something that some may find remotely controversial, that platform gets magnified. Butker's situation is the perfect example of this. He's a kicker, for crying out loud, who even the most diehard of NFL fans wouldn't have been able to pick him out of a lineup before his commencement speech blew up.

Butker's speech featured shots at Pride Month and President Joe Biden, among other hot-button topics, and lifted women as wives, mothers, and "homemakers."

It was Butker's women-focused comments that infuriated the masses the most.

"I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you," Butker said. "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.

"I'm beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all. Homemaker," he continued.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters on Wednesday that he had not talked to Butker about his commencement speech because he didn't believe he needed to.

"Yeah, listen, I talk to Harrison all the time," Reid said. "I didn't talk to him about this. I didn't think we need to."

"We're a microcosm of life here," Reid continued. "Everybody's from different areas, different religions, different races. And so we all get along. We all respect each other's opinions. Not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everybody to have a voice.

Jonathan Beane, the NFL's senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer, issued a statement making it clear that Butker's views do not align with the NFL's.

"Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity," Beane said in a statement to People. "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."