Serena Williams was the host of the 2024 ESPYS, and it wasn’t until the closing segment of the award show that she made her mark.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion Thursday was joined by sister Venus Williams and “Abbot Elementary” producer and star Quinta Brunson for a segment celebrating women’s sports. The trio made jokes referencing the drama surrounding Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, and as the elder Williams sister concluded the segment, Serena Williams didn’t miss an opportunity to call out Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker.
“So, go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports,” Venus Williams said at the ESPYS, per Awful Announcing.
“Except you, Harrison Butker. We don’t need you,” Serena Williams said.
“At all, Like, ever,” Brunson said.
Williams’ jab at Butker received a round of applause, and there also seemed to be a few boos caught on the ABC broadcast, too. The Chiefs kicker was in the audience, but cameras didn’t pan over to the three-time Super Bowl champion.
Butker went viral after he made comments about women during a commencement speech at Benedictine College in May. The comments were condemned by multiple members of sports media, who called out the misogynistic views which Butker later said he did not regret making.
The Kansas City kicker’s comments also included disparaging comments on LGBTQ+ pride and antisemitic allusions. His comments about women specifically were defended by his Chiefs teammates and others in the NFL, which caught the ire of fans, too.
