Hosted by Serena Williams, The ESPYS celebrated a historic 12 months for ladies’s sports activities, honoring stars like Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins on Thursday night time.
Dawn Staley, coach of the nationwide champion South Carolina ladies’s basketball crew, acquired the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Staley confronted private challenges, together with the lack of her good friend and Tennessee standout Nicki McCray-Penson to breast most cancers and her sister’s leukemia prognosis.
“I must confess I feel a little undeserving of this recognition. Past recipients of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award have faced incredible challenges and proven themselves as true warriors,” Staley stated. “I have merely been a spectator to such immense courage and resilience.”
Staley’s Gamecocks gained the Best Team award.
Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces gained as Best Women’s Sports Athlete and Best WNBA Player.
“It’s incredible to think that a young girl who initially didn’t want to play basketball is now in contention for even one ESPY,” she stated in videotaped remarks.
The Best Men’s Sports Athlete was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He additionally gained Best NFL Player.
“I’ve been around this kid for a few years now, and watching him grow as a football player, teammate, and leader has been phenomenal,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid stated, accepting on Mahomes’ behalf. “But more than that, watching him grow as a father and husband has been the best part.”
Biles earned Best Comeback Athlete weeks earlier than she competes on the Paris Olympics. The most adorned gymnast in historical past withdrew from the crew competitors on the Tokyo Games to prioritize her psychological well being.
Clark of the Indiana Fever additionally earned two trophies: for a record-breaking efficiency because the NCAA’s all-time profession scoring chief, and as Best College Athlete for her profession at Iowa.
“I’m a bit tied up in Indianapolis,” Clark stated through videotape. “It was a special year in women’s athletics.”
Watkins gained Best Breakthrough Athlete, receiving the award after a 30-minute delay attributable to President Joe Biden’s news convention.
The Southern California basketball star had a standout freshman season, main the Trojans to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the primary time in many years.
“This is unbelievable,” Watkins stated. “I want to thank all the powerful women who paved the way for me.”
Williams joked throughout her monologue on the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and later sang after Ciara opened the present with a musical efficiency. Williams’ older sister, Venus, appeared and joked that she had truly been requested to host, sparking a mock argument between the siblings.
“You may be wondering why I’m doing this,” famous vogue fanatic Serena stated. “Any opportunity to wear 16 outfits in three hours, I’m going to take it.”
The ABC telecast returned from a business break within the ultimate minutes and started repeating the shows of two earlier awards. Williams’ farewell was minimize off, as had been the ultimate credit. ABC did not instantly clarify the problems. The present aired stay within the East and Central time zones and was tape-delayed on the West Coast.
Prince Harry acquired the Pat Tillman Award for Service, mentioning the late Army Ranger’s mom who had criticized ESPN for honoring the royal.
With spouse Meghan becoming a member of in a standing ovation, the Duke of Sussex accepted the trophy from three service veterans injured throughout their excursions of obligation. Harry served within the British navy for 10 years, together with two excursions in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot.
He created the Invictus Games in 2014, a multi-sport, Paralympic-style occasion for wounded or injured servicemen and veterans.
“This award belongs to them, not to me,” Harry stated.
Tillman’s mom, Mary Tillman, had criticized ESPN’s selection of Harry, saying there are recipients working within the veteran group who would have been extra becoming. Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Marie, for her attendance and acknowledged Mary Tillman.
“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one that I respect,” he stated. “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”
Retired NFL security Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. He was identified with ALS, also called Lou Gehrig’s illness, in 2011. His nonprofit, Team Gleason, helps individuals with ALS stay purposeful lives by offering programming and help providers.
Gleason acquired a standing ovation when he took the stage in a motorized chair and was kissed by former New Orleans Saints teammate Drew Brees. Gleason’s voice was heard by way of particular expertise. His younger son, Rivers, stood subsequent to his father and held the trophy.
“For me, this honor represents encouragement and triumph for families currently living with ALS, and all people with disabilities or other illnesses,” he stated. “If you’ve never experienced fear, isolation, or suffering, you can leave right now.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was named Best MLB Player; Connor McDavid of the Stanley Cup runner-up Edmonton Oilers was named Best NHL Player, and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was named Best NBA Player.
Cooper Flagg, a senior guard-forward from Montverde (Florida) Academy, and monitor and subject athlete Sadie Engelhardt of Ventura (California) High had been named Gatorade National Players of the Year.
The three-hour present on ABC was delayed when Biden’s nationally televised news convention began late and ran half-hour into the present’s time slot.
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