Eddie Vedder Goes After Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker

Eddie Vedder took a moment during Pearl Jam's May 18 show at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to go after Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.

In case you've just woken up from a coma, Butker spoke recently at Benedictine College's commencement ceremony. During his speech at the private liberal arts Catholic school, the kicker was critical of many things, including Pride Month, transgender people and the coronavirus pandemic. However, his remarks about women have received the most significant amount of attention.

Butker said, in part, to the women graduates of Benedictine College, "I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world."

Butker also said, "I’m beyond blessed with the many talents God has given me, but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker."

Butker's speech went viral shortly after the commencement ceremony and received plenty of backlash. The NFL distanced itself from the kicker's speech. Additionally, the nuns of Mount St. Scholastica, who have long been associated with Benedictine College, condemned Butker's remarks.

Vedder joined the chorus of criticism during Pearl Jam's Vegas show. Between songs, Vedder acknowledged opening act Deep Sea Diver, which has two women members: Singer Jessica Dobson and keyboardist Patti King.

Vedder said, "While I have your attention, can we please raise our voices, clap our hands, and show our appreciation for the first group to be on the stage tonight, Deep Sea Diver? That’s some good men and good women making up a great band. The singer, Jessica, and the keyboard player, Patti, they must not have believed that ‘diabolical lie’ that women should take pride in taking a back seat to their man."

He continued, "There should be pride in homemaking if you’re a man or a woman…it’s one of the hardest jobs and you should definitely take pride in it, but you’re going to benefit by giving up your dreams? I couldn’t understand the logic, so I’m questioning it in public right now… It’s not a graduation speech."

Vedder noted about Butker, "The irony was that the football player, well, kicker, you see the kicker doesn’t have the pads because he doesn’t tackle anybody or get tackled. But he started telling men, ‘Don’t forget to puff up your chest and be more masculine. Don’t lose your masculinity.’ The irony was that when he was saying that, he looked like such a f---ing p---y."

He concluded, "There’s nothing more masculine than a strong man supporting a strong woman. People of quality do not fear equality."

Eddie Vedder hasn't been as prolific with side-projects as his Pearl Jam bandmates: Stone Gossard used to have a band called Brad (R.I.P. Shawn Smith) and currently is a band called Painted Shield; he's also done solo records. Jeff Ament has been part of Three Fish, Tres Mtns. and RNDM, and has put out a bunch of solo songs. Matt Cameron's discography includes a number of projects including Hater, Wellwater Conspiracy, Harrybu McCage and Ten Commandos. Mike McCready, meanwhile, has been a member of Mad Season and the Rockfords.

Vedder, meanwhile, has just three solo albums to his name, so far: but it turns out that he has a pretty impressive discography outside of the band. He's frequently contributed songs to various artist compilations, done one-off singles, and collaborated with other artists. Here are some of our favorite Vedder moments outside of Pearl Jam.