Serena Williams says women “don't need” Harrison Butker to celebrate women's sport.
The tennis legend made the comment Thursday night at the ESPY Awards alongside her sister Venus Williams and actress Quinta Brunson.
He Kansas City Chiefs Kicker received criticism when she gave a commencement speech at Benedictine College in which she encouraged graduates to embrace being “homemakers.”
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Harrison Butker at the 2024 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre on July 11, 2024, in Los Angeles. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
“You can enjoy women's sport like any other sport, because it is sport,” said Venus.
Serena gave her answer about Butker while barely able to control her laughter.
Butker, who was in attendance, issued a statement saying Williams was a “great host” but did not use the “opportunity” for good.
![Serena Williams and Harrison Butker](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/07/1200/675/serena-butker.png?ve=1&tl=1)
In the presence of Harrison Butker, Serena Williams harshly criticized the Chiefs kicker at the ESPYS on Thursday. (Fake Images)
“I think Ms. Williams was a great host and I applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of issues,” Butker told NBC Sports. “Sports is 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 she disagrees with from supporting her fellow athletes.”
Williams' jab garnered a positive reaction from the crowd and went viral.
![Butcher](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/harrison-butker-superbowl.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Harrison Butker (Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
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Butker was unapologetic about his speech when he made another public appearance a couple of weeks later, saying that “it wasn't the people, but Jesus Christ that I was trying to please.”
Butker T-shirts for sale Since then they have skyrocketed at NFL Shop, and many in the media remain divided on the narrative.
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