At the 2023 ESPY Awards, Serena Williams attacked kicker Harrison Butker of the Kansas City Chiefs.
During the awards show, Venus and Serena Williams were on stage with Quinta Brunson, the actor from Abbott Elementary. Venus implored the audience to enjoy women’s sports “like you would any other sports because they are sports.”
Serena added, “Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you.” The crowd laughed and applauded as Brunson added, “At all … like ever.” Butker was in the Dolby Theater audience to cheer on his award-winning teammates.
After Butker delivered a commencement speech at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, emphasizing Christian principles and stressing that women shouldn’t be fed “diabolical lies” regarding the significance of families and careers, he garnered the wrath of a large portion of the political left.
Butker said, “How many of you are sitting here now, about to cross this stage, and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? 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.”
The Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid was seated a few rows behind Butker’s teammate Patrick Mahomes, who had earlier backed the kicker and won the greatest athlete in men’s sports award. Mahomes accepted the honor on Mahomes’ behalf.
