Patricia Heaton adds her perspective – as a “Catholic woman” – to the outcry following Harrison Butker’s speech at the ceremony.
In a video posted on Instagram, Everyone loves Raymond The alum, 66, said she doesn’t understand the controversy that followed the Kansas City Chiefs’ comments May 11 at Benedictine College.
“I don’t understand why everyone’s panties are in a twist,” Heaton said in her post on Saturday, May 18. “He gave a speech at the ceremony. The audience clapped twice during the speech and applauded him at the end, so he clearly enjoyed what he was saying.”
Heaton continued: “The guy is espousing his own opinions and Catholic doctrine, um, so what? It’s his opinion. He can have one. He is allowed. He’s not a monster for speaking out for what he believes in.”
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The actress added that Butker “attacked bishops much more than women” in his speech, which has since gone viral as the athlete dissed the LGBTQ+ community, working women, abortion rights and more.
In his speech, the Georgia native spoke directly to the graduates in the audience, warning them of the “diabolical lies” he said they had been told.
“Some of you may have successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that most of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world,” he said.
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The Emmy-winning actress claimed to have succeeded on both fronts. “I’m a Catholic woman who worked through my children’s childhood and I believe that God opened that door for me and fortunately my schedule allowed me to be a full-time mom,” she said.
Heaton’s comments come days after other public figures — including Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager, Maria Shriver and Flavor Flav — dismissed Butker’s claims.
Recently, singer Eddie Vedder played a kicker during a show in Las Vegas. “There should be pride in homemaking, whether you’re a man or a woman… it’s one of the hardest jobs and you should definitely take pride in it, but will you benefit from giving up on your dreams?” he told NBC News. “I couldn’t understand the logic, so now I’m questioning it publicly… It’s not a graduation speech.”
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In the meantime, on ViewWhoopi Goldberg defended Butker’s speech and compared it to another athlete — former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who famously knelt during the national anthem in 2016. ours,” said Goldberg.
Heaton said she believed her life was “very different” to Butker’s but found nothing offensive in his comments – and urged her followers and those following the controversy to take a breather. “Relax everyone,” she said.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education