Harrison Butker Delivers Classy Response To Shot From Serena Williams: “Applaud Her For Using Her Platform To Express Her Beliefs”

Keeping it classy...unlike Serena Williams. In case you missed it (like pretty much everybody else), the 2024 ESPY Awards were held on Thursday night, hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams. And aside from the obligatory Caitlin Clark jokes (still, with a touch of shade and bitterness), and a LeBron James hairline quip, the big talking point of the night was Serena taking a shot of Kansas City Chiefs kicker, Harrison Butker. https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1811585393973956933?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1811585393973956933%7Ctwgr%5Ed6e1f89a8cc0a3619c0926a024a2e4d7088366d6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiskeyriff.com%2F2024%2F07%2F12%2Fserena-williams-who-call-being-a-mom-her-greatest-accomplishment-takes-a-shot-at-harrison-butker-at-the-espys%2F Of course, Harrison sent the media world into a tailspin earlier this year when he gave the commencement speech Benedictine College, a private, very Catholic college in Kansas. Butker spent a good chunk of the 20-minute speech talking about the students honoring God, persevering through COVID, becoming effective leaders, and the role that Christians are called to play in society. And the part that sent the world over the edge, when he spoke directly to the women in the crowd. He said: “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 this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.” He went on to praise his wife for being his rock, the educator of their children, and the cornerstone of his successful football career: https://twitter.com/thattradgal/status/1790577954520432862?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1790577954520432862%7Ctwgr%5Ed6e1f89a8cc0a3619c0926a024a2e4d7088366d6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.whiskeyriff.com%2F2024%2F07%2F12%2Fserena-williams-who-call-being-a-mom-her-greatest-accomplishment-takes-a-shot-at-harrison-butker-at-the-espys%2F Unforgivable, right? A Catholic player gives a speech about traditional Catholic values at a Catholic school...and somehow he's now the biggest villain in sports. Serena could have used the time to take shots at the players accused of domestic violence. I mean, the Steelers signed CB Cam Sutton AFTER he was released by the Lions and entered a diversion program over his arrest for domestic violence. And Deshaun Watson is still the starting quarterback for the Cleveland Browns, and we all know his history... But I guess Harrison Butker is the real problem with the NFL. Anyway, the Chiefs kicker issued a response to NBC over the jab at the ESPYs, and of course he kept it classy, praising Serena for her hosting job while expressing his disappointment that she used the time to alienate those she disagrees with: "I thought Mrs. Williams was a great host and applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics. Sports are supposed to be the great unifier and at an event dedicated to celebrating a diverse group of men and women who have accomplished great feats, she used it as an opportunity to disinvite those with whom she disagrees with from supporting fellow athletes." Spot on. https://twitter.com/JonnyRoot_/status/1811918092165087742