Patricia Heaton defends Harrison Butker’s controversial graduation speech: ‘He’s not a monster’

nypost.com:

graduation speech at Benedictine College stirred up controversy.The “Everybody Loves Raymond” actress, 66, posted an Instagram video Saturday where she defended Butker, 28, and declared that everybody who is upset about his comments needs to “relax.”“I don’t understand why everyone’s knickers are in a twist,” Heaton said at the start of her video. “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.”Butker, the kicker for the Kanas City Chiefs, gave a 20-minute address at the graduation ceremony in Atchison, Kansas on May 11 where he railed against working women, Pride Month, abortion and other issues, leading to swift backlash on social media.But Heaton explained that Butker was merely “espousing his own opinions and Catholic doctrine.”“So what?

It’s his opinion,” she said. “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.”Heaton continued: “I am a Catholic woman, who worked through my kids’ childhood and I believe God opened those doors for me.