Serena Williams is receiving backlash on Twitter after making some surprising comments regarding the much covered rape case out of Steubenville.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the accomplished tennis star quipped, "'Do you think it was fair, what they got? They did something stupid, but I don't know." She added that "not blaming the girl, but if you're a 16-year-old and you're drunk like that, your parents should teach you—don't take drinks from other people.'
Trent Mays and Ma'Lik Richmond, both high school football players in the Ohio town, were sentenced this past March to one year in juvenile detention for the rape of the intoxicated teenager. Attention was first brought to the incident after classmates poked fun and commented on an online video that documented the despicable crime. According to ESPN.com, one of the young men received an extra year for photographing the nude girl.
The public is less than pleased with the 31 year olds opinion on the matter, using social media to share their disdain. Jamil Smith tweeted, "Pro tip for @serenawilliams or others discussing rape: if 'I’m not blaming the girl, but…'exits your mouth, stop there. There is no ‘but.’” An angry tweet from another user was "Hopefully Serena Williams realises her mess & fixes it. So many women look up to her.”
Currently in London preparing for Wimbledon, hopefully Williams will be too busy to make any more controversial statements.