The ESPY Awards are not just a celebration of the best performance in sports, but also a platform for some of the world’s top athletes to express themselves away from their usual arenas. This year’s ceremony, which took place on Thursday night in Los Angeles, was no exception.
Hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams, the event saw the usual acknowledgment of greatness — superstars in their field like Patrick Mahomes, Simone Biles and Max Verstappen all received awards — but at one point also addressed a major societal issue: misogyny, and the downplaying of women’s accomplishments in sports and beyond.
One athlete has become the poster boy for this: Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who held a divisive speech at Benedictine College earlier this year.
Butker’s remarks — which we are not going to repeat here — were rightfully met with wide-ranging criticism at the time. Two months later, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Quinta Brunson used the opportunity to share their own opinion on the matter.
“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
“Go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports,“ Venus Williams said, to which her sister replied: “Except you, Harrison Butker. We don’t need you.”
“At all. Like, ever,“ added Brunson.
Harrison Butker probably doesn’t care, and it seems neither might his team. Nonetheless, the Williams Sisters and Brunson using their time on stage to call out misoginy when they see and are indirectly targeted by it is a move worth applauding and further amplifying.
Because, as Venus said, women’s sports are as legitimate as men’s sports. It and its athletes deserve to be treated with equal respect and appreciation.
