Everybody Loves Raymond star Patricia Heaton was criticized for sharing a video on Instagram defending Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker's misogynistic graduation speech, remarking that "it's his opinion."
Heaton's post came after Butker made national headlines for a misogynistic and anti-LGBTQ+ commencement speech criticizing working women, reproductive rights, surrogacy, and LGBTQ+ rights at the ultra-conservative Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Enter Heaton, who said she’s “curious” as to why people got “offended” by Butker’s statements and jumped to his defense.
You can see her post below.
Heaton said those offended by Butker's remarks need to "relax" and that the football player was only "espousing his own opinions and Catholic doctrine":
“I don’t understand why everyone’s knickers are in a twist. He gave a commencement speech, the audience applauded twice during the speech and gave him a standing ovation at the end. So clearly, they enjoyed what he was saying.”
“So what? It’s his opinion. He can have one. 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.”
“I am a Catholic woman, who worked through my kids’ childhood and I believe God opened those doors for me. 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."
"He might even look at my life and say that’s not the way it should be. That’s okay. That’s his opinion.”
She concluded:
“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. And if they’re different from his, that’s great."
"You do you. He’ll do him and his family. Relax, everybody.”But fans and non-fans alike were not impressed.
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Heaton's post only adds to the controversy surrounding Butker, who urged male graduates to "fight against the cultural emasculation of men," claimed that "abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerative cultural values in media all stem from the pervasiveness of disorder."
Addressing women graduates directly, he added:
"For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical 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 claimed that he is "beyond blessed" because his wife Isabelle "would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.” He said her "dream of having a career might not have come true, but if you ask her today if she has any regrets on her decision, she would laugh out loud without hesitation, and say, 'Hey, no.'"
The football player also denounced Pride—a celebration of LGBTQ+ solidarity and identity as resistance to discrimination and violence—as "dangerous gender ideologies," further describing it as a commemoration of "deadly sins ... that has an entire month dedicated to it." He called on graduates to adhere to "the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him."
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