Patricia Heaton Defends Kansas City Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker's Controversial Commencement Speech

Patricia Heaton has come to the defense of Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who has been criticized for his faith-focused commencement speech at Benedictine College. Heaton, a practicing Catholic herself, says she understands where Butker is coming from and believes he is not a monster for expressing his own opinions.

Patricia Heaton, the Emmy-winning actress best known for her roles in "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "The Middle," has voiced her support for Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker after he became the target of criticism for his faith-driven commencement speech at Benedictine College.

In an Instagram video shared on Sunday, Heaton said she didn't understand why people were so upset with Butker's speech, which covered a range of topics, including abortion, women's choices, COVID, and President Biden.

"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 said. "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."

Butker's speech sparked outrage for a number of reasons, but one paragraph where he called out the graduating women in the class and asked them to embrace their "vocation" as a "homemaker" appeared to strike a chord for many.

Heaton, a mother of four who has worked throughout her children's childhood, said she didn't find anything offensive in what Butker said.

"I am a Catholic woman who worked through my kids' childhood, and I believe that God opened those doors for me," Heaton said. "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."

Heaton went on to say that she believes God has used her life in a way that is different from the way He has used Butker's wife, who is a stay-at-home mom.

"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 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 comments come as Butker's speech continues to be debated on social media. Some people have praised Butker for speaking his mind, while others have criticized him for his views on women and family.

Butker's speech was part of a larger trend of conservative Catholics speaking out against what they see as a decline in traditional values. In recent years, there has been a growing movement within the Catholic Church to promote traditional family values and to oppose abortion and same-sex marriage.

Butker's speech is likely to further divide opinion on these issues. However, it is important to remember that Butker is entitled to his own opinions, and that he should not be condemned for expressing them.