Harrison Butker and Serena Williams (Photos via Getty Images and @awfulannouncing Twitter)
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has broken his silence on Serena Williams’ savage roast of him during the 2024 ESPYs ceremony on Thursday night.
Two months ago, Harrison Butker made headlines during his commencement speech to students at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. During the speech, Butker made homophobic, misogynistic, antisemitic and sexist comments.
In one portion of the speech, the veteran kicker advised the graduating female students to become “homemakers.”
During the ESPYs, tennis legend Venus Williams advised fans to “enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports.” Her younger sister, Serena, then destroyed the Kansas City kicker.
“Except you, Harrison Butker,” Williams said. “We don’t need you.”
“So, go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports.” – Venus Williams
“Except you, Harrison Butker. We don’t need you.” – Serena Williams
“At all. Like, ever.” – Quinta Brunson #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/RhvxfiHUWN
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 12, 2024
According to Minyvonne Burke of NBC News, Harrison Butker responded to Williams’ roast in a statement to the outlet. Though he praised her for being “a great host” at the ESPYs, Butker expressed disappointment in her comment:
“I thought Mrs. Williams was a great host and applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics.
“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.”
Harrison Butker was a seventh-round pick of the Carolina Panthers in 2017, but he never played a game for them. He has spent his entire career with Kansas City, helping them to six straight AFC title games, four Super Bowl appearances and three Lombardi Trophies.
Butker kicked game-winning fields goals in the 2022 AFC Championship Game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals and against the Philadelphia Eagles in the waning seconds of Super Bowl 57.
The Chiefs will open their 2024 season against the Baltimore Ravens in the NFL Kickoff Game on Sept. 5.
Chiefs Are Standing By Harrison Butker
There were some calls from fans for the Chiefs to move on from the three-time Super Bowl-winning kicker after his comments went viral. An online petition at Change.org reached over 230,000 signatures.
But teammate and quarterback Patrick Mahomes stated that though he disagreed with some of Butker’s commencement speech comments, stating the 28-year-old kicker is “a good person.”
Head coach Andy Reid also decided to stay neutral when asked about Butker’s comments, citing the importance of freedom in speech and opinion.
Caitliп Clark caυsed a social media storm after respoпdiпg aпd criticiziпg Sereпa Williams for her coпtroversial jokes aboυt “white people,” emphasiziпg herself, which oυtraged faпs. “The teппis legeпd is jυst like other black people,”
Caitliп Clark caυsed a social media storm after respoпdiпg aпd criticiziпg Sereпa Williams for her coпtroversial jokes aboυt “white people,” emphasiziпg herself, which oυtraged faпs. “The teппis legeпd is jυst like other black people,”
Caitliп Clark aпd Sereпa Williams (Photos via Getty Images
Caitlin Clark has responded to Serena Williams’ “white people” joke following an eventful ESPY Awards ceremonу.
The former tennis star hosted the event on Thursday night and made several jokes, one of which was about Clark’s white fans.
“Caitlin Clark had an amazing year and is nominated for three awards,” she said. “Caitlin, you are the Larry Bird in that you are an amazing player, you have ties to Indiana and white people are really crazy about you.”
As expected, not everyone found it funny, with some considering it divisive.
Clark, however, didn’t have any issues with the quip and praised Williams for her hosting job.
“Obviously Serena did a tremendous job hosting,” she told reporters, per Athlon Sports.
Also Read: Shocking Photo Shows Las Vegas Aces Player Grabbing Caitlin Clark By The Throat And Ripping Her To The Floor During Brutal Foul In The Paint
Clark also claimed to be of the view that Williams should have been the first female to win the ESPY for Best Record-Breaking Performance.
“Yea I didn’t know that until my little brother sent it to me this morning. I think it’s pretty cool,” she added. “It probably shouldn’t have been the first woman to win that award, in my eyes. I grew up supporting so many different female athletes who I idolized and I loved. The amount of records I’ve seen broken, like how did Serena Williams never win that award? It’s crazy.”
Clark won said accolade on the night, the first female ever to do so, as well as the Best Women’s College Athlete Award. She was also nominated for the Best Women’s Athlete Award, but that one went to Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson.
Also Read: VIDEO: Caitlin Clark Had To Be Held Back from Fighting Seattle Storm Star Victoria Vivians During Intense Confrontation
BREAKING: The пext rookie of the year JυJυ Watkiпs said “She got Aпgel Reese beatiпg Caitliп Clark for rookie of the year”. Looks like it’s goппa be Close.
The Next Rookie of the Year? JυJυ Watkiпs Predicts a Tight Race Betweeп Aпgel Reese aпd Caitliп Clark
Watkins’ prediction has added fuel to the already intense rivalry between Reese and Clark. Fans of both players are eagerly following each game, scrutinizing every play and performance.
The debate over who deserves the Rookie of the Year title has spilled over into social media, where passionate discussions and friendly banter are rampant.
As the season progresses, the competition between Reese and Clark is expected to intensify. Both players are aware of the high stakes and are likely to elevate their game further, making the race even more thrilling to watch. With Watkins’ bold statement setting the tone, all eyes are on these two extraordinary rookies to see who will ultimately come out on top.
In the end, the decision will come down to the votes of the coaches, players, and media members who evaluate the overall impact and contributions of each rookie.
Whether it will be Angel Reese’s relentless drive and defensive prowess or Caitlin Clark’s scoring heroics and leadership, one thing is certain: the battle for Rookie of the Year will be a highlight of the season, showcasing the future stars of women’s basketball.
