Actress Patricia Heaton has come to the defense of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who faced criticism for his faith-focused commencement speech at Benedictine College.
In the wake of widespread backlash, actress Patricia Heaton has extended her support to Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, whose commencement speech at Benedictine College sparked controversy.
Butker's speech, which touched upon topics such as abortion, women's choices, COVID, and President Biden, drew mixed reactions. However, Heaton took to Instagram to express her disagreement with the negative attention he received.
"I don’t understand why everybody's knickers are in a twist. He gave a commencement speech," Heaton said in a video. "The audience applauded twice during the speech and gave him a standing ovation at the end, so clearly they enjoyed what he was saying."
Heaton emphasized that Butker was simply expressing his own beliefs and Catholic doctrine. "He's 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," she asserted.
One section of Butker's speech that garnered particular attention was his call to women in the graduating class to embrace their "vocation" as a "homemaker."
"For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. You should be proud of all that you have achieved to this point in your young lives. 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: how many of you are sitting here now about to cross the stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career," he said.
Heaton, who is a Catholic woman who worked through her children's childhood, expressed her support for Butker's message. "And thankfully, it was a schedule that allowed me to also be a full-time mom basically," she said. "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."
Heaton emphasized that Butker's opinions should not be interpreted as a condemnation of those who choose different paths. "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," she said.
"And if they’re different from his, that’s great. You do you, and he’ll do him and his family. Relax everybody."
Heaton's defense of Butker has been met with mixed reactions on social media. Some have praised her for standing up for her beliefs, while others have criticized her for supporting what they perceive as sexist and outdated views.
Despite the controversy, Butker's speech has also received positive feedback from those who appreciate his willingness to express his faith in the public sphere.
