Mike McDaniel wasn't expecting a Harrison Butker speech question, but he handled it very well
When asked about the controversial commencement speech from Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel gave a very thoughtful response.
However, it didn’t look like he was expecting a question about the situation.
When he was asked about the Butker situation and about his stance on his players voicing their political opinions on Tuesday, McDaniel had a hysterically taken aback look on his face as he prepared for probably his most consequential answer of the week.
“Well, I’m glad you asked,” McDaniel quipped sarcastically to laughs in the press room.
This is not the type of questions an NFL coach normally gets during May OTA sessions, but the Butker story has understandably taken over the league discourse.
Mike McDaniel did NOT have a question about Harrison Butker on his bingo card
pic.twitter.com/cwX3M7inIZ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) May 22, 2024
To McDaniel, his players need to know the consequence of their words if they ever decide to speak out publicly on a political issue (comments at around the 19-minute mark).
“You do have to open the eyes of the players to their platform if they’re new to the situation,” McDaniel responded. “I think you have to understand that what you say publicly can be fragmented and last with you forever… I really emphasize… whatever you’re going to say, you better believe it.
“You just try to educate people to understand the consequence of whatever they do just so they have the freedom of choice, and if they want to go that direction, go right ahead. I’ll be over here, hanging out with you guys.”
McDaniel’s comments probably echo similar sentiments around the NFL with fellow coaches. They support their players to speak their minds, but they also want them to understand the gravity of what they say and how it might impact them.