Chiefs Kicker Harrison Butker Responds To Serena Williams’ Harsh Comments About Him During The ESPYs

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.”