00:00Venus and Serena Williams and Quinta Brunson seemingly called out Pat McAfee for his previous
00:04comments about WNBA star Kaitlyn Clark, and they definitely called out NFL player Harrison
00:09Buckker during the 2024 ESPY Awards.
00:13Serena, who hosted the awards show, was joined by Venus and Quinta on stage for a special
00:18segment celebrating this year's rise in popularity of women's sports, thanks in part to Clark.
00:23The trio reviewed a list of terms that are acceptable when referring to female athletes,
00:27including competitor and champion.
00:28The moment was seemingly a reference to when
00:37ESPN commentator McAfee used that word last month while talking about Clark.
00:41McAfee later apologized on social media.
00:44He wrote in part,
00:45"'My intentions when saying it were complimentary, just like the entire segment, but a lot of
00:49folks are saying that it certainly wasn't at all.
00:52That's 100% on me and for that I apologize.'"
00:55Serena, Venus, and Brunson also called out Kansas City Chiefs kicker Buckker, who came
00:59under massive fire this year for a commencement speech where he condemned the LGBTQ plus community
01:04and told female graduates,
01:05"'I want to speak directly to you briefly because I think it is you, the women, who
01:09have had the most diabolical lies told to you.
01:12Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess
01:16that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will
01:19bring into this world.'"
01:20So go ahead and enjoy women's sports like you would any other sports because they are
01:26sports.
01:27Except you, Harrison Bucker, we don't need you.
01:31Bucker was somewhere in the audience, though his reaction was not shown.
01:34Elsewhere during the ESPYs, Prince Harry accepted the Pat Tillman Award in recognition of the
01:3810th anniversary of his Invictus Games, after Tillman's mother, Mary, spoke out against
01:43the decision to honor him.
01:44During his speech, Harry acknowledged the Tillman family, including Mary.
01:48I'd also like to acknowledge the Tillman family, especially Mrs. Mary Tillman, Pat's mother.
01:54Her advocacy for Pat's legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect.
02:00He went on to say,
02:01"'I stand here not as Prince Harry Pat Tillman Award recipient, but rather a voice on behalf
02:05of the Invictus Games Foundation and the thousands of veterans and service personnel from over
02:1120 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality.
02:16This award belongs to them.'"
02:19For much more on the 2024 ESPY Awards, head to THR.com.
02:23This is The Hollywood Reporter News.
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