While hosting ESPN’s “ESPYS” award show, tennis legend Serena Williams mocked Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker for his traditional Catholic views on marriage. “So, go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports,” co-host Venus Williams said. “Except you, Harrison Butker. We don’t need you,” Serena added.
Co-host Quinta Bronson chimed in: “At all. Like, ever,”
"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
Learn more about the 2024 Vault Conference and secure your ticket today!
While Butker was in the audience, the camera reportedly did not pan over to him. He previously said he has no regrets about his speech.
As Valuetainment previously reported, Harrison Butker caused controversy with a commencement speech he gave on traditional gender roles to the graduating class of Benedictine College, a private Catholic university in Atchison, Kansas. Most of the ire he received was directed toward his statements on the dignity of motherhood and the “diabolical” results of the feminist social movement.
“How many of you 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,” Butker said in the speech. “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.”
He also commented on the current state of masculinity, stating: “To the gentlemen here today, part of what plagues our society is this lie that has been told to you that men are not necessary in the home or in our communities.” He went on to talk about absentee father rates in the US and how they correlate with violence. He encouraged men in the audience to “be unapologetic in your masculinity.” He also promoted traditional gender roles, encouraged women to be stay-at-home mothers, and criticized President Joe Biden for being a Catholic while also promoting pro-abortion policies.
Butker received a torrent of attacks from feminist sports commentators and many others in the mainstream press, but he also experienced an outpouring of support from his teammates and associates.
“I’ve known him for seven plus years, probably, eight plus years. And I cherish him as a teammate,” said Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. “When it comes down to his views and what he said at the St. Benedictine’s commencement speech, those are his. I can’t say I agree with the majority of it or just about any of it, outside of just him loving his family and his kids, and I don’t think that I should judge him by his views, especially his religious views, of how to go about life. That’s just not who I am.”
Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes weighed in on the controversy as well. “I’ve seen the clips… That’s his views,” he told The Athletic, the sports outlet of The New York Times. “I judge him by the character he shows every day and that’s a good person,” adding, “We’re not always going to agree. He said certain things I don’t agree with.”
Meanwhile, Tavia Hunt, the wife of Chiefs CEO and chairman Clark Hunt, defended Butker amid the backlash, as did their daughter Gracie. “Affirming motherhood and praising your wife, as well as highlighting the sacrifice and dedication it takes to be a mother, is not bigoted. It is empowering to acknowledge that a woman’s hard work in raising children is not in vain,” Tavia wrote. “I really respect Harrison and his Christian faith and what he’s accomplished on and off the field,” added Gracie.
The NFL sang a different tune in the initial fallout from Butker’s remarks. “Harrison Butker gave a speech in his personal capacity. His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger,” said senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane in a statement provided to PEOPLE.
The nuns of the Benedictine College criticized Butker for his remarks. “The sisters of Mount St. Scholastica do not believe that Harrison Butker’s comments in his 2024 Benedictine College commencement address represent the Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts college that our founders envisioned and in which we have been so invested,” they said, adding that it “fostered division” in the community.
But his fans new and old flocked to support him. Butker saw an explosion in jersey sales following his commencement speech. According to Fanatics.com, which sells Butker’s jerseys, his apparel was the most popular of the entire Kansas City Chiefs catalogue as of May 17th, outselling even Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes. This was still the case as of May 20th.
Shane Devine is a writer covering politics and business for VT and a regular guest on The Unusual Suspects. Follow Shane’s work here.
Add comment