'Except you, Harrison Butker. We don't need you': Serena Williams' ESPYs quip goes viral

A recap article of Serena William's viral comments at the 2024 ESPYs

Serena Williams doesn’t just hit her target on the tennis courts — she hits them on stage, too.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner let her distaste for Harrison Butker, an NFL kicker from the Kansas City Chiefs, be known and took a few other shots at controversial men in sports while hosting this year’s ESPYs.   

While presenting alongside her sister and fellow athlete Venus Williams, and producer and actress Quinta Brunson during a segment dedicated to applauding the rise of women’s sports and encouraging viewers to tune in, Venus said “Go ahead and enjoy women's sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports." 

Serena chimed in with her eyes locked to the camera: “Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you.” 

“At all. Like, ever," Brunson said in agreement.

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Why was Butker in Williams' crosshairs?

Butker continues to face backlash for the controversial comments he made in May at the Benedictine College commencement address that went viral. As a part of his speech, he commented on women’s lifestyle preferences, the LGBT community and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. 

“It is you, the women who have had the most diabolical lies told,” Butker said after congratulating the women of the graduating class on their “amazing accomplishment.” He then went on to suggest that women, including those in the graduating class, would find more fulfillment as wives and mothers than by building careers. 

Throughout his speech, Butker also referred to Pride month as a “deadly sin” and described diversity, equity and inclusion efforts as tyrannical. 

Following his comments, the NFL released a statement that emphasized the Butker’s comments reflected his own views and not the view of the organization. 

Other members of the sports world that made it into punch lines for the trio include ESPN’s Pat McAfee, who apologized for calling Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever a “b*tch” from Indiana.