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
00:09Butker 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,
00:26including competitor and champion.
00:30The moment was seemingly a reference to when ESPN commentator McAfee used that word last
00:39month while talking about Clark. McAfee later apologized on social media. He wrote, in part,
00:45My intentions when saying it were complimentary, just like the entire segment, but a lot of folks
00:49are saying that it certainly wasn't at all. That's 100% on me, and for that I apologize.
00:55Serena, Venus, and Brunson also called out Kansas City Chiefs kicker Butker,
00:59who came under massive fire this year for a commencement speech where he condemned the
01:02LGBTQ plus community and told female graduates, I want to speak directly to you briefly because I
01:08think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. Some of you may go
01:13on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you
01:17are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world.
01:21So go ahead and enjoy women's sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports.
01:27Except you, Harrison Butker. We don't need you.
01:31Butker 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 10th
01:39anniversary of his Invictus Games. After Tillman's mother, Mary, spoke out against the 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,
02:00I stand here not as Prince Harry, Pat Tillman Award recipient,
02:04but rather a voice on behalf of the Invictus Games Foundation.
02:07And the thousands of veterans and service personnel
02:10from over 20 nations who have made the Invictus Games a reality.
02:16This award belongs to them.
02:18For much more on the 2024 ESPY Awards, head to THR.com.
02:22This is the Hollywood Reporter News.
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