Kansas City Employee Fired Over Harrison Butker Tweet as Patrick Mahomes Breaks Silence on Chiefs Kicker
In a swift and decisive move, a Kansas City social media employee has been terminated after a controversial post on the city’s official X account targeted Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. Mayor Quinton Lucas confirmed the termination on KCMO talk radio, stating that the employee was dismissed for posting beyond authorized communications. A city spokesperson elaborated, “The employee has been separated from the City workforce for violation of City policy by posting outside the scope of authorized City communications. The City will have no further comment on the post or individual employees related to it.”
The incident erupted following Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College, where he openly criticized President Joe Biden, the COVID-19 response, Pride Month, and the role of women in society, expressing his conservative Catholic views. The now-deleted post from the city’s account read: “Just a reminder that Harrison Butker lives in the City of Lee’s Summit.”
The City of Kansas City social media employee who posted the town that Harrison Butker lived in (since deleted) from the official @KansasCity account has been fired.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the employee had been “separated” from his job,
“The employee has been… pic.twitter.com/amkGQFk31p
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) May 24, 2024
Butker’s address at Benedictine College touched on various contentious topics, including his conservative Catholic beliefs, criticism of Pride Month, President Joe Biden, and traditional gender roles. He remarked, “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you,” advocating for marriage and motherhood as primary aspirations.
In the aftermath, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stepped forward to defend Butker during a Wednesday press conference. “I’ve known [Harrison] for seven years and I judge him by the character that he shows every single day. And that’s a good person. That’s someone who cares about the people around him, cares about his family, and wants to make a good impact in society,” Mahomes asserted, emphasizing Butker’s positive influence within the team.
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid also addressed the situation, underscoring the team’s respect for diverse opinions. “I didn’t talk to him about [the speech]. We’re a microcosm of life here, from different areas, different religions, races, and so we all get along and we all respect each other’s opinions,” Reid stated, highlighting the team’s inclusive culture.
The firing of the social media employee highlights the sensitivity surrounding public statements, especially when made in an official capacity. While Butker’s speech ignited considerable debate, Mayor Lucas showed his support for the kicker and issued an apology for the incident. Lucas acknowledged the inappropriate nature of the tweet for a public account, stating, “The message was clearly inappropriate for a public account. The City has correctly apologized for the error, will review account access, and ensure nothing like it is shared in the future from public channels.”
Following the apology, a spokesperson from Lucas’s office confirmed the termination of the employee responsible for the post. In a significant turn, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s office requested documents concerning the deleted tweet, alleging that Butker was doxxed for his religious beliefs. Bailey remarked, “Our nation is founded on a bedrock commitment to the free exercise of religion… Missouri law specifically prohibits faith-based discrimination against Missouri residents. Yet, your office apparently believes it is appropriate to denigrate a devout Catholic for comments he made about his own faith at a religious college.”
The mayor’s apology and the Attorney General’s investigation further emphasize the critical need for adherence to policies and the protection of religious freedom. As the story unfolds, the balance between public expression and official communication continues to be a focal point of discussion in Kansas City.
