“Everybody Loves Raymond” actress Patricia Heaton defended the commencement speech given by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, which has been getting so much attention.
Critics have been coming after the NFL player for voicing his opinions on abortion, COVID, and President Joe Biden. He’s especially being mocked for statements he made about women finding fulfillment in homemaking and motherhood.
Butker gave the address at Benedictine College, a Catholic university in Kansas. His supporters, including Heaton, say it makes sense he was voicing Catholic views.
“I don’t understand why everybody’s knickers are in a twist. He gave a commencement speech,” the actress said in an Instagram video posted on Sunday. “The audience applauded twice during the speech and gave him a standing ovation at the end, so clearly they enjoyed what he was saying.”
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Heaton continued, “The guy is espousing his own opinions and Catholic doctrine, um, so what? It’s his opinion. He can have one. He’s allowed. He’s not a monster for stating what he believes. He went after bishops much more than he went after women, or what women’s choices are or what he thinks they should be, so I don’t understand.”
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The Hollywood star next related her personal experience back to the speech.
“I am a Catholic woman who worked through my kids’ childhood, and I believe that God opened those doors for me,” Heaton told her social media followers. “And thankfully, it was a schedule that allowed me to also be a full-time mom basically.”
“I find nothing offensive about what he said, even though my life is very different, and he might even look at my life and say that’s not the way it should be. That’s OK. That’s his opinion. God has used my life, so, I’m just curious as to why people get offended. If you have made choices in your life, and you feel those are the right choices, and you’re comfortable, and they’re working out for you and your family – great.”
Heaton concluded, “And if they’re different from his, that’s great. You do you, and he’ll do him and his family. Relax everybody.”