Harrison Butker Reacts to Serena Williams Calling Him Out: ‘Sports Are Supposed to Be the Great Unifier’

Harrison Butker is reacting to being called out for his controversial views by Serena Williams at the 2024 ESPY Awards.

The Kansas City Chiefs kicker, 28, released a statement on Friday, July 12, in response to Serena, 42, poking fun at him at the awards show, following his comments about women made during a May 11 commencement speech.

“I thought Mrs. Williams was a great host and applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics,” Butker said in his statement, per NBC Sports.

“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,” he continued. “She used it as an opportunity to disinvite those with whom she disagrees with from supporting fellow athletes.”

On Thursday, July 11, Serena called out Butker during the sports ceremony, which he also attended, as she appeared onstage with her sister, Venus Williams, and Quinta Brunson.

As the trio discussed a triumphant year in sports, Brunson, 34, said. “There are a lot of firsts this year. The Texas Rangers won their first World Series, the Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup.”

The stars then shared tips “on how to properly enjoy” sports — stating that “you can root for Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese” — as Venus, 44, said in summary, “So go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sport.”

Serena then interjected, “Except you, Harrison Butker. We don’t need you,” as Brunson added, “At all. Like, ever.”