Harrison Butker wasted no time in responding to Serena Williams’ criticism at the ESPY Awards, as the Chiefs kicker said the tennis star gave “an opportunity to disinvite” those who disagree with her.
Butker, who has been under fire since delivering a commencement speech at a private liberal arts college in Kansas earlier this summer, released a statement Friday just 24 hours after Williams said, “You can enjoy women’s sports, just like any other sport, because they’re sports,” at the ESPYs on Thursday night in Los Angeles.
At one point, as her sister Venus urged attendees and fans to support women’s sport, Serena also said: “Except you, Harrison Butker. We don’t need you.” Comedian Quinta Brunson, who was also on stage at the time, added: “Not at all, as usual.”
Butker, who received criticism for her commencement speech at Benedictine College in May, in which she encouraged graduates to embrace being “homemakers,” initially praised Williams in her statement.
“I think Ms. Williams was a great host and I applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of issues,” the 28-year-old Chiefs kicker told NBC Sports. “Sports is supposed to be the great unifier.
KILLING HER SOFTLY: Harrison Butker initially described Serena Williams as a “great host” at the ESPYs in his statement responding to the tennis star’s comment about him.
The Chiefs kicker has come under fire since encouraging women to be “housewives” in May.
“And at an event dedicated to celebrating a diverse group of men and women who have accomplished great feats, he used it as an opportunity to disinvite those he disagrees with from supporting his fellow athletes,” he added.
After his May 25 speech, Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion, said he had no regrets about expressing his beliefs and that he had, in fact, received support and also “a shocking level of hate” from others.
In addition to his comments about women, Butker argued that some Catholic leaders were “imposing dangerous gender ideologies on America’s youth”; referred to a “mortal sin, pride, being dedicated to a month” in an oblique reference to Pride Month; and took aim at U.S. President Joe Biden’s policies, including his condemnation of the Supreme Court’s overturning of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
“Over the past few days, my beliefs or what people think I believe have been the focus of countless discussions around the world,” said Butker, a devout Catholic.
Butker, a three-time Super Bowl champion, has not apologized for his comments.
“At first, many people expressed an alarming level of hatred. But as the days went by, even those who disagreed with my views shared their support for my religious freedom.”
Butker said he understands being criticized for his performance on the field and added that he values his religion more than football.
“It’s a decision I made consciously and one I don’t regret at all,” he said.
The NFL has distanced itself from Butker’s comments. The league said the comments and “opinions are not those of the NFL as an organization.”
Butker (C) attended the Chiefs’ visit to the White House just days after his May 21 speech.
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said his teammate is entitled to his beliefs, even if he doesn’t always agree with them.
Speaking about Butker on his ‘New Heights’ podcast, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce said he appreciates Butker as a teammate.
“As far as his opinions and what he said in the commencement speech, those are his,” Kelce said.
“I can’t say I agree with most of what he says, or much of anything, except that he loves his family and his children. And I don’t think I should judge him on his opinions, especially his religious opinions, on how to approach life – that’s not who I am.”