Williams was joined on stage alongside her sister Venus and actress Quinta Brunson as the three addressed the women in the audience about their achievements in sports
Venus implored the sports fans to enjoy watching “women’s sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports.”
“Except you Harrison Butker. We don’t need you,” Serena said, looking straight into the camera and attempting to hold back her laugh.
“At all. Like, ever,” Brunson added.
The tennis legend made the comment at the ESPY Awards alongside her sister Venus Williams and actress Quinta Brunson. Getty Images
The joke received applause from the audience as the three women stood proud at their quip inside the Dolby Theater in California.
Butker, who was in attendance, defended himself a day after the viral moment, while he also praised the tennis legend despite the surprising callout.
“I thought Mrs. Williams was a great host and applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics,” the Kansas City Chiefs kicker told NBC News.
Butker, who was in attendance, released a statement saying Williams was a “great host” but didn’t use the “opportunity” for good. AFP via Getty Images
“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,” he added.
Butker received backlash over his comments about women during Benedictine College’s commencement ceremony in May.
Butker condemned President Joe Biden for his “delusional” stance on abortion before he encouraged the female graduates to embrace being a “homemaker” in the wide-ranging speech.
“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?“ Butker said at the May ceremony.
Williams’ jab got a positive reaction from the crowd and went viral. Disney
“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. I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother,” he added.
The Chiefs kicker’s address to the graduating seniors tallied more than 2 million views as he received support and opposition from various media and sports personalities.
Bill Maher , Whoopi Goldberg, and Chiefs Quarterback Patrick Mahomes were among several to publicly defend Butker.
“I like when people say what they need to say. He’s at a Catholic college, he’s a staunch Catholic. These are his beliefs and he’s welcome to them,” Goldberg said on an episode of “The View,” following his remarks.
Butker drew criticism when he delivered a commencement speech at Benedictine College that included encouraging female graduates to embrace being a “homemaker.” BenedictineCollege Butker’s jersey sales have since skyrocketed on NFL Shop, and many in the media remain split about the speech. AP
Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce revealed he and his wife Kylie were not fond of Butker’s remarks as former ESPN host Michelle Beadle and former “Monday Night Football” sideline reporter slammed the kicker.
“As a woman, I think everything he said was garbage. I think when you hide hateful thoughts and feelings and bigotry behind the quote unquote cloak of religion, I tend to roll my eyes and stop listening,” Beadle said on the “Over the Top” podcast in May.
“But I think the fact that there were women in that audience that were not OK. I mean, granted, there were some that clearly were, but some that weren’t that have come out since and said, what the hell, dude? We just worked our asses off for years. And you’re gonna come in here and tell us that’s all cute and stuff, but what you’re really gonna wanna do is get married and have babies.
“Then you’ll feel important. Like go f–k yourself.”
Also joining in on the bashing of Butker was the official X account of Kansas City , which made a post “reminding” people of the city Butker lives in.
Sales for Butkers ’ Chiefs uniform surged and ranked among the NFL’s bestsellers after his commencement speech at the private liberal arts school.
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