Michael Jordan’s journey from a basketball prodigy to a global sports icon is a tale of relentless hard work, unparalleled talent, and a knack for transcending boundaries. His on-court achievements with the Chicago Bulls are legendary, earning him six NBA championships and solidifying his status as arguably the greatest basketball player of all time. Off the court, Jordan built a brand that turned him into a cultural icon and a successful businessman.

Recently, Michael Jordan had some choice words for critics of Harrison Butker’s speech about traditional values: “If you’re upset about it then you weren’t listening.” This statement has sparked widespread discussion, shedding light on Butker’s controversial commencement speech and the broader conversation it has ignited.

Harrison Butker, the 28-year-old kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, has made a significant impact both on and off the field. A 2017 seventh-round pick out of Georgia Tech, Butker has become one of the NFL’s best kickers, breaking the Chiefs’ franchise record with a 62-yard field goal in 2022. He played a crucial role in helping the Chiefs win their first Super Bowl in 50 years in 2020, added a second Lombardi Trophy in 2023, and kicked the field goal that forced overtime in a Super Bowl win over San Francisco in February.

Off the field, Butker is known for his conservative Catholic views, which he has shared on social media. His recent appearance as the commencement speaker at Benedictine College, a private Catholic liberal arts school in Kansas, stirred controversy. During his speech, Butker asserted that most of the women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having children than pursuing careers.

“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical 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 can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”

Butker also criticized some Catholic leaders for “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America,” attacked Pride Month, and criticized President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion. He referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it,” referencing Pride Month, and criticized Biden’s policies, including his condemnation of the Supreme Court’s reversal of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and advocacy for freedom of choice.

Butker didn’t stop there. He also tackled Biden’s response to COVID-19, which has killed nearly 1.2 million people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “While COVID might have played a large role throughout your formative years, it is not unique,” he said. “Bad policies and poor leadership have negatively impacted major life issues. Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder.”

In a surprising twist, Butker used a quote from Taylor Swift, who is dating his teammate Travis Kelce. “As my teammate’s girlfriend says, ‘familiarity breeds contempt,'” Butker said, referencing Swift’s song “Bejeweled.”

The intersection of sports and cultural commentary is not new, but the fervor surrounding Butker’s remarks highlights the ongoing clash of values in modern America. As Jordan’s career exemplifies the heights of athletic and business success, Butker’s speech reflects the deep ideological divides that continue to shape public discourse. Whether one agrees with Butker or not, his speech has undeniably brought attention to these critical societal debates, much like Michael Jordan’s career has long sparked conversations about excellence and influence.