Chiefs’ Harrison Butker calls Super Bowl parade shooting ‘degenerative violence,’ calls on men to step up

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker recalled the deadly shooting at the team’s Super Bowl parade in a recent interview.

Disc jockey Lisa Lopez-Galvan was killed and nearly two dozen others were wounded in last month’s shooting. Three men are facing federal gun charges in the incident.

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Harrison Butker of the Chiefs during the national anthem prior to the Philadelphia Eagles game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 20, 2023, in Kansas City, Missouri. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

The Super Bowl champion was asked in an interview on EWTN News’ “In Depth” about gun violence and how to curb it in the wake of the shooting.

“I had to do a lot of thinking about what took place at the parade. I know that gun violence was a big discussion, but at the end of the day this is degenerative violence, and it should not be occurring,” Butker said. “I think we need strong fathers in the home. We need men that are leading, that are setting good examples, that are teaching the young men in our society that violence is not the way to handle our disputes.

“It’s very unfortunate what happened. Unfortunately, many, many children were injured. A beautiful young lady was killed over someone getting offended and turning to violence to handle that dispute. It’s so sad. I don’t think guns are the issue. I think we need fathers in the home that are being great examples for our youth.”

Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs points to the sky after kicking a record-breaking 57-yard field goal against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Lopez-Galvan was shot and killed wearing Butker’s jersey. The family asked Butker if he could provide one of his jerseys so she could be laid to rest in it. He agreed to give her family his jersey.

“I never set out to be an NFL kicker,” he said. “I never set out to have this platform. I never thought I’d be having this success in the NFL that I am. I never wanted to be this public person that people look to to see what their ideas are, what their stances are on different subjects, but because of that, it has given me a great following of people like this amazing woman. 

Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs warms up for Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium on Feb. 11, 2024, in Las Vegas. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

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“It’s the faith. It was the most important thing in her life. It’s the most important thing in my life. And to be able to receive that encouragement, that love, even though I never met her, I heard from her family how much she was encouraged by me and loved all my work, it’s just very encouraging for me to continue on the path that I’m on and to be never unwavering in my beliefs.”

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