Catholic group questions NFL's commitment to 'inclusion' after response to player's religious speech

OutKick columnist Mary Katharine Ham and Fox News senior national correspondent Kevin Corke discuss the media’s reaction to former President Trump’s faith speech on Truth Social.

A top Catholic political advocacy group is calling out the National Football League (NFL) for claiming to have a "commitment to inclusion," then attempting to distance itself from a player over his faith-filled commencement speech.

CatholicVote came to the defense of Chiefs player Harrison Butker in a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Kansas City Chiefs CEO Clark Hunt on Thursday, after the kicker was shamed for his speech at Benedictine University on how "truth is in the minority."

Within the first few minutes of his speech, Butcker hit President Joe Biden for having a pro-abortion stance while identifying as Catholic, saying the president is "delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally." Along with detailing his Catholic faith, Butker touched on several other controversial political topics, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

The NFL released a statement saying that the league was committed to inclusion and that Butker's "views are not those of the NFL as an organization," prompting CatholicVote to pen a letter to the league saying their reaction "calls into question your commitment to genuine diversity and inclusion."

HARRISON BUTKER'S COMMENCEMENT SPEECH ‘SHOWED COURAGE AND COMMITMENT,’ LOU HOLTZ SAYS

Kansas City Chiefs place kicker Harrison Butker (7) talks to the media during Super Bowl LVIII Opening Night at Allegiant Stadium. (Lucas Peltier)

The group asked whether the NFL's inclusion efforts include "Catholics, pro-life Americans, mothers, and those who