WATCH: Serena Williams denounces controversial Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at ESPYs 2024 for his recent comments on women

Serena Williams used her platform at the 2024 ESPYs to publicly denounce Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, in response to the NFL star's controversial comments on women. Williams was accompanied on stage by her sister Venus Williams and Hollywood actress Quinta Brunson when she brought up Butker's name.

Butker courted controversy earlier this year when he gave the commencement address at the Benedictine College in Kansas. Speaking at the Catholic Liberal Arts school, the three-time Super Bowl winner shared his views on women, stating that most of them would prefer to be home-makers rather than go out and have ambitions or careers of their own.

“I think it is you, the women, who have had the most diabolical lies told to you. Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world," Butker said.

"I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother," he added.

The speech immediately went viral on social media, earning disapproval from public figures as well as fans. Even Serena Williams' ex-coach Rennae Stubbs commented on it earlier, calling Butker a 'sexist assh**e.'

On Friday, Serena Williams hosted the ESPYs, an annual American awards show hosted by ESPN. This year there was a segment celebrating women's achievements in sports, and Venus Williams, on stage, urged people to enjoy women's sports just like they would men's.

"So, go ahead and enjoy women's sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports," Venus Williams said.

Serena Williams then interjected and asked Butker to exclude himself, saying that women did not need him to join in.

"Except you, Harrison Butker. We don't need you," Serena Williams said.

Those in attendance were caught unawares by the surprise shade and let out loud 'Ooohs,' before Quinta Brunson also added to the burn.

"At all. Like ever," Brunon chimed in.

Interestingly, Butker was in attendance at the ESPYs 2024 himself. It is uncertain whether he was seated in the crowd when the 23-time Grand Slam champion called him out.

“It’s really important to show up and to be there for young girls" - Serena Williams

Serena Williams has been a life-long advocate for women's sports as well as inclusivity in general. In an interview with Vogue in 2021, the former World No. 1 shed light on the importance of showing young girl athletes that they have the support of the world.

“It’s really important to show up and to be there for young girls. Our athletes shouldn’t have to feel like they aren’t being supported," Serena Williams said.

"We should always be making space for [wellness], it should be something that is so automatic that we don’t even have to think about it. Having a balanced view of everything is super key,” she added.

Williams, after a career that lasted more than two decades, hung up her racket in 2022, playing her final tournament in front of home fans at the US Open.