YES, BUT...
Harrison Butker fires back at ‘great host’ Serena Williams after tennis icon’s brutal ESPYs dig at Chiefs star
Butker's controversial commencement speech left the NFL world divided
KANSAS City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker has hit back at Serena Williams after her brutal ESPYs dig – while lauding the tennis icon's performance as host.
The 23-time Grand Slam champ took a shot at the NFL star for his controversial remarks on women, Pride month, and various other sociological topics during Thursday's ceremony.
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Williams, 42, called out Butker, 28, live on ABC as she was joined by her sister, Venus, and actress Quinta Brunson during a segment on women's sports.
"So, go ahead and enjoy women's sports like you would any other sports, because they are 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.
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"I thought Mrs. Williams was a great host and 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 an issue with the way Williams used her platform as the ESPYs host.
"Sports are supposed to be the great unifier and at an event dedicated to celebrating a diverse group of men and women who have accomplished great feats," Butker continued.
"She used it as an opportunity to disinvite those with whom she disagrees with from supporting fellow 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 speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you," the devout Catholic told the women in attendance.
‘I do not regret at all,’ Harrison Butker says of divisive graduation speech with Chiefs star doubling down on his views
"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 also slammed abortion and claimed that Pride month celebrated a "deadly sin."
Chiefs heiress Gracie Hunt and his teammate, Patrick Mahomes, came to the kicker's defense.
Butker's most controversial remarks from speech
The NFL has distanced themselves from the comments
Harrison Butker's commencement speech at Benedictine College has gone viral after he spoke out on abortion, Pride month, and Covid-19 lockdown measures.
An outspoken Catholic, the NFL kicker urged students to stay on the path of righteousness and religion during his address.
Butker took a swipe at President Biden for supporting abortion rights which he labelled as the "murder of innocent babies".
"Things like abortion, IVF, surrogacy, euthanasia as well as a growing support for degenerate cultural values and media all stem from the pervasiveness 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 "deadly sin," and suggested it promoted "dangerous gender ideologies."
He also singled out female graduates in the audience and told them they had been told "diabolical lies."
"For the ladies present today, congratulations on an amazing accomplishment," he began.
"I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you.
"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."
The NFL has since responded, saying: "[Butker's] views are not those of the NFL as an organization."
However, the NFL distanced itself from the ex-Georgia Tech standout's comments.
Butker later said he had no regrets over his commencement speech.
"If it wasn’t clear that the timeless Catholic values are hated by many, it is now," he said.
"Over the past few days, my beliefs – or what people think I believe – have been the focus of countless discussions around the globe.
"At the outset, many people expressed a shocking level of hate.
"But as the days went on, even those who disagreed with my viewpoints shared their support for my freedom of religion.
"In my seven years in the NFL, I've become familiar with the positive and negative comments.
"But the majority of them revolved around my performance on the field."
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"But, as to be expected, the more I’ve talked about what I value most — which is my Catholic faith — the more polarizing I’ve become.
"It’s a decision I’ve consciously made and one I do not regret at all."