Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker went viral after posting a Bible verse in response to the Drag Queen performance that was featured during the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.
The performance appeared to parody Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper.”
In post that has received over 4.9 million views on X, Butker shared an image of the controversial performance alongside a quotation of Galatians 6:7-8, which reads: “Be not deceived, God is not mocked. For what things a man shall sow, those also shall he reap. For he that soweth in his flesh, of the flesh also shall reap corruption. But he that soweth in the spirit, of the spirit shall reap life everlasting.”
Butker also posted an Instagram, where he said, “This is crazy.” That post has since expired.
Olympic officials were quick to apologize for any offense that was caused by the controversial segment. “Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. [The Opening Ceremony] tried to celebrate community tolerance,” said Olympic spokesperson Anne Descamps during a press conference. “We believe this ambition was achieved. If people have taken any offense, we are really sorry.”
Thomas Jolly, the performance’s artistic director, said the performance was “interpretation of the Greek god Dionysus [that] makes us aware of the absurdity of violence between human beings.”
In May, Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion, was sharply criticized after he spoke out against abortion and Pride Month and spoke in favor of women prioritizing homemaking during a commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Earlier this month, Serena Williams took a shot at Butker during the ESPY Awards, telling the All-Pro kicker, “We don’t need you.”
During the awards, Williams was joined onstage with her sister, Venus, and “Abbot Elementary” star Quinta Brunson to celebrate women’s sports.
