KANSAS City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker hit back at Serena Williams after her brutal dig at the ESPYs — while praising the tennis icon’s hosting performance.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion lashed out at the NFL star for his controversial comments about women, Pride Month and several other sociological topics during Thursday’s ceremony.
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Williams, 42, called out Butker, 28, live on ABC as her sister, Venus, and actress Quinta Brunson joined her during a segment about women’s sports.
“So go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sport, because it is sports,” she said.
“Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you.”
Butker responded to Williams’ criticism in a statement to NBC Sports on Friday.
“I thought Ms. Williams was a great host and I applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics,” the three-time Super Bowl champion wrote.
He then took issue with the way Williams used her platform as an ESPY host.
“Sports should be the great unifier and an event dedicated to celebrating a diverse group of men and women who have accomplished great things,” Butker continued.
“She used this as an opportunity to disinvite those she disagrees with from supporting other athletes.”
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Butker divided the NFL world with his views, which he shared during a commencement speech to Benedictine College graduates in May.
“I want to briefly speak to you directly because I think it was you, the women, who heard the most diabolical lies told,” the devout Catholic told the women present.
“Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world.
“But I would hazard a guess that most of you are very excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
Butker also criticized abortion and claimed that Pride Month celebrated a “mortal sin.”
Chiefs heir Gracie Hunt and her teammate Patrick Mahomes came to the kicker’s defense.
Butker’s most controversial remarks in the speech
The NFL distanced itself from the comments
Harrison Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College went viral after he spoke about abortion, Pride month and Covid-19 lockdown measures.
An avowed Catholic, the NFL kicker urged students to stay on the path of righteousness and religion during his speech.
Butker criticized President Biden for supporting abortion rights, which he labeled as “murdering innocent babies.”
“Things like abortion, in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, euthanasia, as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media, all result from the spread of disorder,” he continued.
“Our own nation is led by a man who publicly and proudly proclaims his Catholic faith, but at the same time is delusional enough to make the sign of the cross during a pro-abortion rally.”
Butker went on to call Pride Month a “mortal sin” and suggested that it promoted “dangerous gender ideologies.”
He also singled out female graduates in the audience and told them they had heard “diabolical lies.”
“To the ladies in attendance today, congratulations on an incredible feat,” he began.
“I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it was you, the women, who heard the most diabolical lies told.
“Some of you may go on to successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that most of you are more excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.”
The NFL has since responded, saying: “[Butker’s] the opinions are not those of the NFL as an organization.”
However, the NFL distanced itself from the former Georgia Tech standout’s comments.
Butker later said he had no regrets about his commencement speech.
“If it wasn’t clear that timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now,” he said.
“In recent days, my beliefs – or what people think I believe – have been the focus of countless discussions around the world.
“Initially, many people expressed a shocking level of hatred.
“But as the days went by, even those who disagreed with my views shared their support for my religious freedom.
“In my seven years in the NFL, I have become familiar with the positive and negative comments.
“But most of them revolved around my performance on the field.”
“But, as expected, the more I talk about what I value most – which is my Catholic faith – the more polarizing I become.
“It’s a decision I made consciously and I don’t regret it.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
