This falls under the category of too good not to share. Kansas City Chiefs field goal kicker Harrison Butker delivered the commencement address at his alma mater, Georgia Tech, on May 6.

Here are some of his remarks as reported by the Kansas City Star, relayed by Yahoo!Life.

I am someone not much older than all of you, yet I’ve been asked to speak, not because I am a great orator or because I have a number of impressive accolades, well, I guess I do have two Super Bowl rings. I just happen to be blessed by God to be really good at kicking a funny-shaped ball between two yellow posts. So as someone who is not paid to speak for a living, I’m about to pop off some hard truths.

I don’t care if you have a successful career. I don’t care if you have a big bank account or you fly private. Many of you in this crowd will achieve these things. Some of you maybe already have, but in the end, no matter how much money you attain, none of it will matter if you are alone and devoid of purpose.

It is important to use today as an opportunity to take stock of your mission. Our culture is suffering. We all see it. It doesn’t matter which political persuasion you sit on, or whether you are a person of deep faith or not. Anyone with eyes can see that something is off.

Studies have shown one of the many negative effects of the pandemic is that a lot of young adults feel a sense of loneliness, anxiety, and depression despite technology that has connected us more than ever before. It would seem the more connected people are to one another, the more they feel alone. I’m not sure the root of this, but at least I can offer one controversial antidote that I believe will have a lasting impact for generations to come. Get married and start a family.

…And yet all of this happiness [at winning the Super Bowl] is temporary. And the truth is none of these accomplishments mean anything compared to the happiness I have found in my marriage and in starting a family. My confidence as a husband and father, and yes, even as a football player is rooted in my marriage with my wife, as we leave our mark on future generations by the children we bring into the world. How much greater of a legacy can anyone leave than that? (emphasis mine)

It’s sad that advising graduates to “get married and start a family” can be considered a “controversial antidote.” Bravo to Harrison Butker. May his tribe increase.

Pass it on.

³  Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward.
⁴  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.
⁵  Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127.3 – 5, ESV)

³  Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
⁴  Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the LORD. (Psalm 28.3, 4, ESV)