"Serena Williams not messing around"; "Called that misogynistic p*g out" - Fans back tennis legend's jibe at Harrison Butker over "homemaker" speech

Serena Williams and Quinta Brunson took an on-stage swipe at Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at the 2024 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards on Thursday, July 11. The swipe seemingly stemmed from Butker's speech at the commencement ceremony at Benedictine College two months ago, which drew widespread criticism. Fans were quick to take notice of Williams' dig during the ESPYs, with the majority of them backing the 23-time singles Major winner.

On Saturday, May 11, Butker delivered a speech at Benedictine College's commencement ceremony. At one point, the 28-year-old opined that for women, domestic accomplishments such as marriage and having children were more important than what they could achieve academically and/or professionally.

"How many of you (addressing the women) are sitting here now about to cross this stage and are thinking about all the promotions and titles you are going to get in your career? Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world," Butker said.

This sparked outrage among fans and commentators, with the Chiefs kicker's take being slammed as misogynistic by many.

At the 2024 ESPY Awards, Venus and Serena Williams, along with Quinta Brunson, took to the stage at one point. Venus encouraged those in attendance to derive enjoyment from women's sports, "because they are sports". Serena took over from her elder sister and fired the first broadside at Butker, saying:

"Except for you Harrison Butker, we don’t need you,"

Brunson added her thoughts to the on-stage comments:

"At all, like ever."

The moment did not take long to draw fans' attention on X (formerly Twitter), where Williams' comments were lauded, including for Butker being in attendance at the event.

"There was this fire at the ESPY Awards tonight. Whew. Called that misogynistic p*g out to his face since he’s in the audience. Bloop," a fan wrote.

"There was a murder tonight at the ESPYs," commented another fan.

"Serena is not messing around and I’m totally loving it," another fan chimed in.

"Loved it! Truer words have never been spoken," yet another fan commented.

"The content we need! Thank you Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Quinta Brunson," wrote another fan.

"Lol right to his face," another fan weighed in.

Serena Williams' ex-coach had also criticized Butker over his speech

Serena Williams (L) and Rennae Stubbs (R) (Source: Getty)

During his speech, Butker had also referred to Pride Month as a "deadly sin". Rennae Stubbs, former WTA doubles No. 1 and Williams' coach for the 2022 US Open, slammed the Chiefs kicker, calling him a "sexist, homophobic a**hole".

"Is this guy kidding me? Omgggg… dude u know what not a diabolical lie! You’re chauvinistic, sexist, homophobic a**hole," Stubbs wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Of note, Stubbs came out as lesbian in 2006 and is currently dating Eden Bruce. The two completed five years of their relationship in October 2023.

Amid fierce criticism, Butker defended the controversial elements of his speech at the Courage Under Fire gala at Nashville's Regina Caeli Academy on Friday, May 24. According to Butker, the outrage served as proof of what he characterised as hate for his "Catholic values".