Travis Kelce Defends Harrison Butker After Controversial Grad Speech, 'Great Person'

Travis Kelce is coming to Harrison Butker‘s defense … insisting the Kansas City Chiefs kicker is both “a great person and a great teammate.”

The future Hall of Famer made the comments on the latest episode of his “New Heights” podcast Friday … touching publicly on his pal’s controversial Benedictine College speech for the first time since it sparked a slew of outrage earlier this month.

Many, of course, had been itching for Kelce’s opinion on the matter … especially after Butker evoked the name of the tight end’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift, during the polarizing chat with graduates.

“I’ve known him for seven-plus years probably, eight-plus years,” Kelce said on the pod to his brother, Jason, “and I cherish him as a teammate.”

“When it comes down to his views and what he said at the [Benedictine College] commencement speech, you know, those are his,” Kelce added. “I can’t say I agree with the majority of it — or, just about any of it outside of just him loving his family and his kids.”

“And I don’t think that I should judge him by his views — especially his religious views of how to go about life. That’s just not who I am.”

Kelce went on to say Butker’s always been amazing the friends and family he’s introduced him to … “and that’s how he treats everyone.”

Patrick Mahomes expressed similar views on the matter earlier this week … also calling Butker “a good person.” Andy Reid, too, defended the special teamer in a chat with reporters as well.