The View host Elisabeth
Hasselbeck on Tuesday came to the aid of former New York Giants wide
receiver David Tyree, who has been criticized for saying that passage
of a gay marriage bill in New York would lead to “anarchy.”
Panelist Whoopi Goldberg, a supporter
of marriage equality, opened the discussion: “Tyree has been making
headlines for coming out strongly against gay marriage, saying it
will lead to anarchy in the U.S., and that gay couples shouldn't even
be allowed to raise children.”
Hasselbeck, who is married to former
Giants player Tim Hasselbeck, dismissed the claims Tyree is acting
out of animus toward gay men and lesbians.
“He will always be respected and
always was by his teammates, not just for that Super Bowl catch …
but for being a man who stands by his convictions in a way that's
respectful,” Hasselbeck said.
“I know David Tyree. I know his
heart. He has no hate. He loves everyone. He believes everyone's
created by God and should be loved as such. And he doesn't have
bigotry. He truly is just a man who is not a part-time guy following
God.”
Goldberg, however, had a different
take, saying: “Let us be real now. To say that people should not
be allowed to raise children because they feel or act differently
than you do seems slightly not God-like to me.”
“If you do not believe in gay
marriage, do not marry a gay person,” Goldberg added to the delight
of the audience. (The video is embedded in the right panel of this
page.)
As of Wednesday, the
New York Senate remained deadlocked on the issue.