The 2024 ESPY Awards were a night of celebration for athletes across all sports, but one moment in particular sent social media into a frenzy.
During Venus Williams’ heartfelt speech accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award for Women in Sports, her sister Serena Williams took a playful jab at Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, and let’s just say, the internet had a field day.
Venus, in her speech, spoke about the challenges women in sports have faced historically and the ongoing fight for equality. She highlighted the incredible achievements of female athletes across various disciplines, inspiring a standing ovation from the audience.
Then, as Venus transitioned to thanking her support system, Serena, who was presenting the award, leaned into the microphone and delivered a line that instantly became a viral meme: “We wouldn’t be here without all the amazing women who paved the way… and of course, without men like… uh… what’s his name again? The one who keeps missing those field goals in the playoffs? We don’t need you Harrison Butker, At all!, like Ever!”
The crowd erupted in laughter, and Venus playfully swatted Serena’s arm. Cameras immediately cut to a bewildered Butker in the audience, a sheepish grin on his face.
Social media instantly exploded. “#ButkerBurned” became a top trending topic. Memes featuring photoshopped images of Serena tackling Butker or him kicking a football wide right flooded Twitter and Instagram. Chiefs fans, while mostly good-natured about the roast, launched a playful counter-offensive with jokes about Serena’s serve accuracy (or lack thereof).
Shout out Harrison Butker! You still suck❤️#ESPY24 #Chiefs #HarrisonButker pic.twitter.com/I45Juvi0jA
— allie (@taylorxtravis) July 12, 2024
Of course, Serena’s comment was all in good fun. The tennis legend and Butker are known to be friendly acquaintances, and the playful jab was clearly meant to lighten the mood after a powerful speech.
However, the unexpected moment did spark some interesting conversations. Many fans pointed out the irony of a male athlete being mentioned in a speech celebrating women’s achievements. Others saw it as a playful reminder that while women in sports have come a long way, there’s still a long way to go before they receive the same level of recognition and respect as their male counterparts.
Regardless of the interpretation, one thing’s for sure: Serena Williams’ ESPY Awards moment will be remembered for a long time. It was a moment of laughter, a touch of controversy, and ultimately, a celebration of athletic excellence, both past and present.
