Serena Williams is throwing shade.
The athlete blasted Harrison Butker as she hosted the 2024 ESPYs on Thursday — and the Kansas City Chiefs player was in the audience.
The retired tennis star, 42, and her sister, Venus Williams, were joking about women’s sports onstage with Quinta Brunson at the time.
“Go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sport,” Venus, 44, told viewers.
Serena chimed in, “Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you.”
Brunson, 34, added, “At all, like, ever.”
While the camera did not pan to Butker, 28, to catch the kicker’s reaction, he was present at the ceremony and walked the red carpet.
The NFL player did not attend with wife Isabelle Butker, instead posing for pictures solo.
The awards ceremony took place two months after Butker’s controversial commencement speech at Benedictine University in which he urged women to consider “homemaker” their “most important title.”
The Georgia Tech graduate, whose mother is an accomplished physicist, said, “I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”
Butker has stood by his headline-making address, which also included anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, saying at a May fundraiser that he has no “regret[s] at all.”
His teammates, however, have voiced their differing opinions while maintaining that Butker is a “good person.”
Travis Kelce clarified during a May “New Heights” podcast episode that he didn’t agree with “just about any” of the remarks made.
The tight end, 34, added, “My views are never gonna be the same as the man next to me. You put your differences inside for one goal in common, and that’s the beauty of team sports.”
Butker, notably, referenced Kelce’s partner, Taylor Swift, in his speech — but not by name, only as “my teammate’s girlfriend” — as he quoted song lyrics.
With the increasing spotlight on athletes and their public statements, it’s important to recognize the impact that their words can have on a larger audience. The controversy surrounding Harrison Butker’s remarks highlights the importance of accountability and respect when using a platform to share personal opinions.
As fans and viewers, it’s essential to engage in meaningful discussions about the values and beliefs that we uphold as a society. While differences of opinion are natural, it’s crucial to approach these conversations with empathy and understanding.
Moving forward, let’s continue to support a culture of inclusivity and respect in all areas of sports and beyond. By promoting open dialogue and positive interactions, we can create a more welcoming and accepting environment for everyone involved.
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Source: USA Today
