Last night, the 2022 ESPY Awards took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, bringing together some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. One of the highlights of the evening was a surprise quip from tennis legend Serena Williams, who took home the Best Female Athlete with a Disability award.

Williams, who is known for her quick wit and sharp tongue, didn’t disappoint when she took the stage to accept her award. In a humorous jab at the Kansas City Chiefs’ placekicker, Harrison Butker, Williams declared, “Except you, Harrison Butker. We don’t need you.”

The reference was to the fact that Butker, who suffers from a minor anxiety disorder, was unable to attend the ESPYs due to his condition. The audience erupted in laughter and applause at Williams’ lighthearted dig, which quickly went viral on social media.

The tweet about the quip, which was shared by ESPN, has garnered over 10,000 likes and has been shared hundreds of times, with many fans praising Williams’ witty humor and her ability to poke fun at herself and others.

The humor in the situation was not lost on the sports world, with many athletes and celebrities taking to social media to express their support for Williams’ joke. “The GOAT Serena Williams” tweeted the New York Giants’ wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., along with a series of laughing emojis.

Butler’s absence from the ESPYs was a notable one, as he had been nominated for the Best Male Athlete with a Disability award. However, he explained in a statement that his anxiety had been triggered by the pressure of attending the awards show, and he chose to prioritize his mental health instead.

Williams’ joke about Butker highlights the importance of mental health awareness and the need to prioritize self-care. The tennis legend has long been an advocate for mental health awareness, and her comment has sparked a conversation about the importance of taking care of one’s mental well-being.

In conclusion, Serena Williams’ quip at the ESPYs may have been a joke, but it had a serious underlying message. The tennis legend used her platform to poke fun at herself and others, while also highlighting the importance of mental health awareness. The audience’s reaction to the quip, as well as the Twitter reaction, shows that humor can be a powerful way to break the stigma surrounding mental health issues.