Serena Williams disses Harrison Butker: The Chiefs kicker fires back, but what’s the beef all about?

On Thursday night, former tennis star Serena Williams handed out a roasting to Harrison Butker, the Kansas City Chiefs kicker, when speaking at the 2024 ESPY Awards. While on stage with her sister, it was Venus who initially told viewers to “enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports.”

Serena was quick to follow up with, “Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you!” Also on stage with the sisters was comedian and actress Quinta Brunson, who added, “At all. Like, ever.”

How did Butker respond after Williams dig?

She must have known that Butker, a part of the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs team, was sat in the audience, as laughter and huge applause rang out from the crowd around him. And it wasn’t long before the NFL player made his feelings known.

“I thought Mrs. Williams was a great host and applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics,” began his statement to NBC News, before making his complaint. “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.”

So, why was Serena targeting Butker anyway? Well, this came on the back of his controversial comments from back in May when he was giving a commencement speech at Benedictine College. In that he told female graduates that they should be focused on “your marriage and the children you will bring into this world,” remarks that were widely criticised at the time as video clips went viral on social media.

What else did Harrison Butker say in his commencement speech?

Butker’s own conservative Catholic beliefs were no secret but the outspoken nature of his speech back in May surprised onlookers. He began his comments with reference to “dangerous gender ideologies” before moving on to Pride Month: “The deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it.”

He went on to address the female graduates in the crowd directly, arguing that they were better-suited to domestic roles: “I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolic lies told to you. 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.”

Butker continued: “I can tell you that my beautiful wife, Isabelle, would be the first to say that her life truly started when she began living her vocation as a wife and a mother. I’m on this stage, and able to be the man I am, because I have a wife who leans into her vocation.”

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“I’m beyond blessed with the many talents god has given me,” he continued, “but it cannot be overstated that all of my success is made possible because a girl I met in band class back in middle school would convert to the faith, become my wife, and embrace one of the most important titles of all: homemaker.”

Butker’s remarks were widely condemned. The NFL released a statement insisting: “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion.” Even teammate Patrick Mahomes sought to distance himself from Butker’s remarks, saying: “There are certain things that he said that I don’t necessarily agree with.”