Harrison Butker attended the ESPY Awards. He may regret that decision.
Butker, who sparked controversy earlier this year with a commencement speech calling for women’s empowerment Avoiding careers to raise childrenShe was mentioned during a segment featuring Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Quinta Brunson.
“Enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sport, because it’s a sport,” Venus Williams said.
“Except for you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you,” Serena Williams added.
“Never,” Bronson said. “Like ever.”
ESPN cameras did not capture Butker giving a nonverbal response. On Friday, he issued a statement.
“I thought Ms. Williams was a wonderful host and I applaud her for using her platform to express her beliefs on a variety of topics,” Butker told NBCNews.com. “Sports is supposed to be the great unifier and at an event dedicated to celebrating a diverse group of men and women who have accomplished great things, she used it as a symbol of success.” Opportunity to uninvite those you don’t agree with “Through the support of my fellow athletes.”
Butker’s attempt at victimization was not as accomplished as he had hoped, even without the extra “help.” He retracted his invitation. Only Serena Williams and Quinta Brunson acknowledged it.
Looking more broadly, Botker did not use the situation as an opportunity to explain that his words to May had been misunderstood or misinterpreted in some way. His admission that Serena Williams was someone he “disagrees with” tends to emphasize that he said what he meant and that he meant what he said.
