Harrison Butker has issued a statement after Serena Williams called him out during a segment at the 2024 ESPY Awards . "I thought Mrs. Williams was a great host and applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics," he said in a statement shared with NBC News .
"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." The Kansas City Chiefs kicker responded one day after Serena, hosting the ESPYs, took the stage with her sister, tennis legend Venus Williams , and Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson . The trio urged fans to enjoy women's sports the same as any other, with Venus saying, "So go ahead and enjoy women's sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports.
" Serena then added , "Except you, Harrison Butker, we don't need you," to which Quinta responded with, "At all, like, ever." The statements drew a mixed response, with some gasping and some booing but others cheering loudly. Harrison was in the audience at Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, but ESPN cameras never cut to him to see his reaction.
Harrison attended the annual awards ceremony solo without his wife, Isabelle. He flashed a big smile and his Super Bowl ring on the red carpet while wearing a white tuxedo jacket and stripped pants. His tea.
