*In a memorable moment at the 2024 ESPY Awards, retired tennis champ Serena Williams did not hold back her feelings about controversial Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker. We don’t know if it was a joke or was said in earnest. Either way, it hit home and got laughs and groans.
The incident unfolded as Serena, her sister Venus Williams, and “Abbott Elementary” star Quinta Brunson took the stage at the Dolby Theater.
During the event, Venus Williams passionately urged sports fans to support women’s sports.
“Enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports because they are sports,” Venus emphasized to the cheering audience. While her sister was reading from the teleprompter, Serena appeared to be laughing, suggesting she had something up her sleeve.
“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
In a moment that quickly became the highlight of the evening, Serena directed a sharp comment at Harrison Butker, who was seated in the audience. “Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you,” she said, locking eyes with the camera. The audience burst into laughter and applause as Butker’s reaction was caught on screen. Quinta Brunson quickly chimed in, “At all … like ever,” intensifying the comedic yet pointed jab.
Wow. Who knew Serena had comedy and hosting chops? She was pretty damn good as the host of the awards. Anyway, the backdrop to this drama involves Butker’s controversial commencement address at Benedictine College in Kansas. In his speech, Butker criticized a variety of political, religious, and cultural issues, with his comments about women sparking significant backlash. He suggested that women had been fed “diabolical lies” and implied that their primary fulfillment should come from marriage and childbirth rather than professional success.
On the night of the ESPYs, Butker was there to support his Chiefs teammates, including Patrick Mahomes, who was honored with the award for Best Athlete in Men’s Sports. Butker attended in a striking cream-colored tuxedo jacket, pinstriped pants, and black dress shoes, proudly wearing his Super Bowl ring. He was seated a few rows behind Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who accepted Mahomes’ award on his behalf.
The ESPYs also highlighted Serena Williams’s family, as she attended with her husband Alexis Ohanian, and their 6 -year-old daughter Olympia. This family outing marked Olympia’s first red-carpet appearance since the 2021 premiere of King Richard, the biopic centered around her grandfather—and Serena’s father—Richard Williams.
Serena, serving as the ceremony’s host, dazzled in a figure-hugging black gown by Armani Privé, complete with a bejeweled neckline and straps. Olympia matched her mother’s fashion statement with a patterned white frock from Dolce & Gabbana and metallic silver sandals, showcasing her own style flair. Alexis Ohanian complemented his family’s elegant look with a classic black Gucci suit, adding a touch of personal flair through his turquoise Nike sneakers.
The night at the ESPYs thus included a mix of sports celebration, personal moments, and unexpected drama, all punctuated by Serena Williams’s sharp commentary, ensuring the event captured widespread attention and left a lasting impression.
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