Patriots' TreVeyon Henderson explains siding with family over DCF in custody dispute involving gender identity
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson made a viral social‑media post Thursday that drew national attention to a custody dispute in Massachusetts. In the clip, the 23‑year‑old athlete shared a Fox News video and quoted Scripture to defend the parents of a teenage daughter who has been in state custody since early 2025.
The family, Joseph and Arlene Kutzko, are fighting the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for custody of their daughter after the state took her away when the parents refused to allow medical procedures that would transition her from female to male. The Kutzkos, who describe themselves as Catholic, claim that they were protecting their child from what they see as harmful medical interventions.
Henderson, who has said he is a “devout Christian,” said in his post, “These parents who want to honor our Lord and lead their daughter into the truth, and away from what she can’t see that will destroy her just as God has entrusted the parents to do. May justice be served.” The post has accumulated more than 3.5 million views by Thursday evening.
When reporters met with Henderson in Foxboro, they asked about the broader case, as well as the Kutzkos’ legal situation. Henderson explained, “I saw the state take away someone’s child because they didn’t want to affirm the daughter as a boy. And I heard that the school, without the parents’ permission, tried to transition a child or do some sort of thing to transition her into a boy.” He added that he believes the family is “doing the right thing” by “affirming her the way that God created her to be as a girl.”
The Kutzkos’ father, Joseph, has faced allegations that he pulled his daughter’s hair and threatened to kill her. The charges, however, have not resulted in criminal findings; prosecutors have indicated that the case will be dropped if the father stays away from the girl. The Boston Herald has reported that the Kutzkos’ attorney, Vernadette Broyles, says a restraining order currently stands against the parents after an unidentified adult obtained an order while the child remained in state custody for nearly a year.
When pressed on the accusations against Joseph Kutzko, Henderson said, “It doesn’t mean that he was guilty of those charges. It’s just accusations. Just as the same way people make accusations against me, it doesn’t mean that those accusations are true. It’s just accusations at the end of the day. I think you’re innocent until you’re proven guilty.” He added that if the father were guilty, the responsibility would lie with him, not with the family or the state.
In a broader interview, Henderson spoke about the impact of the controversy on his life and career. “I think my perspective of this world has changed,” he said. “I just try to look at this world through a Biblical lens now, and, yeah, I feel the calling on my life. I’m not here to just play football. I think I have it in my bio that football is what I do, but a child of God is who I am.” He further noted that his faith now takes priority over his professional obligations, adding, “With this game or without this game, with money or without money, as long as I have Jesus, I got everything that I need.”
Henderson is scheduled to play in the Patriots’ home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, a game that has drawn curiosity about how the off‑field controversy might influence his performance. The Patriots’ organization has issued no comment on the matter.
The custody case remains in court, and the Kutzkos continue to challenge the DCF’s decision while Henderson’s post has sparked a national conversation about parental rights, gender identity, and the role of religious belief in public policy.
