Harrison Butker Fires Back at Serena Williams’ Savage Dig at the 2024 ESPYs

Harrison Butker is weighing in on that ESPYs comment.

One day after Serena Williams served up quite the dig at the Kansas City Chiefs kicker while reflecting on achievements by women athletes at the 2024 ESPY Awards, he weighed in on the viral moment.

“I thought Mrs. Williams was a great host and applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics,” Harrison said in a statement to NBC News July 12. “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.”

During the July 11 ceremony, Serena, her sister Venus Williams and Quinta Brunson took the stage to speak about women’s sports, with Venus sharing an impassioned message to the audience.

“So, go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports,” she said, “because they are sports.”

Referring to the controversial remarks Harrison—who was in the audience during the ESPYs—made about women during his Benedictine College commencement speech in May, Serena quickly added, “Except you, Harrison Butker.”

While Venus snapped along in approval, Quinta commented the trio’s position, chiming in with, “At all. Like, ever.”
Harrison has been under fire in recent months after his wide-ranging commencement speech—during which he made comments about the LGBTQ+ community, reproductive rights and COVID-19—went viral.

Among the many topics raising eyebrows was his message to the women in the audience, suggesting “the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world