LOS ANGELES – Led by host Serena Williams, the ESPYs celebrated a historic year for women’s sports, with Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Kaitlynn Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins honored on Thursday night.
Staley, coach of the national champion South Carolina women’s basketball team, received the Jimmy V Award for perseverance. Her friend, Tennessee standout Nikki McCray-Penson, died of breast cancer and Staley’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia.
“I have to admit that I feel a little undeserving of this recognition. Previous recipients of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award have faced incredible challenges and proven themselves as true warriors, Staley said. “I have been merely a witness to such immense courage and resilience.”
Staley’s Gamecocks won the best team award.
Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won Best Female Sports Athlete and Best WNBA Player.
“It’s crazy to think that a young girl who didn’t even want to play basketball is now even in the running for an ESPY,” he said in videotaped comments.
The Best Male Sports Athlete was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He also claimed best NFL player.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid accepted on Mahomes’ behalf, saying, “I’ve been around this kid the last few years and it’s been amazing to watch him grow as a football player, a teammate, a leader.” Watching him grow as a father and a husband has been the best part.”
Biles earned the Best Comeback Athlete award just weeks before competing at the Paris Olympics. The most decorated gymnast in history withdrew from the team competition at the Tokyo Games to prioritize her mental health.
The Indiana Fever’s Clark also earned two trophies for his record-breaking performance in becoming the NCAA’s all-time career scoring leader and the best college athlete for his Iowa basketball career.
“I’ve been a little busy in Indianapolis,” Clark said via videotape. “It was a special year in women’s athletics.”
Watkins won Best Breakthrough Athlete, taking home the first prize after the show started 30 minutes late due to President Joe Biden’s news conference.
The Southern California basketball star had a standout freshman season, leading the Trojans to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in decades.
“It’s crazy,” Watkins said. “I want to thank all the great, powerful women who came before me who made this possible.”
Williams joked during her monologue at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood and later sang after Ciara opened the show with a musical performance. Williams’ older sister, Venus, came out and joked that she was actually asked to host and the siblings got into a fake argument.
Serena, a famous fashion lover, said, “You must be wondering why I am doing this.” “Any opportunity to wear 16 outfits in three hours, I’m going to take it.”
The ABC broadcast returned from the commercial break in the final minutes and began repeating the earlier two awards presentations. Williams’ farewell was cut, as well as the end credits. ABC did not immediately say what caused the problems. The show aired live in the Eastern and Central time zones and tape-delayed on the West Coast.
Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, and he mentored the mother of the late Army Ranger who criticized ESPN for the royal honor.
Accompanied by wife Meghan to a standing ovation, the Duke of Sussex accepted the trophy from three service veterans who were injured during tours of duty. Harry served in the British Army for 10 years, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot.
He created the Invictus Games in 2014, which serves as a multi-sport, Paralympic-style games for wounded or injured soldiers and veterans.
“This award is theirs, not mine,” Harry said.
Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, criticized ESPN’s choice of Harry, saying there were receivers working in the veteran community who would have been more suitable. Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Mary, for his presence and also acknowledged Mary Tillman.
“His advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and I respect that,” he said. “The bond between mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest loss.”
Retired NFL safety Steve Gleason was awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for courage. He was diagnosed with ALS or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2011. His nonprofit, Team Gleason, helps people with ALS live purposeful lives by providing programming and support services.
When Gleason came on stage in a motorized chair and was kissed by former New Orleans Saints teammate Drew Brees, he received a standing ovation. Gleason’s voice was heard through special technology. His younger son, Rivers, stood next to his father, holding the trophy.
He said, “For me, this honor represents some encouragement and victory for the families of those currently living with ALS, and for all those living with disability or other illnesses.” “I think if you’ve never experienced fear, isolation or pain, you might as well get your holy ass kicked out right here.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the best MLB player; Connor McDavid of the Stanley Cup runner-up Edmonton Oilers was the best NHL player; And Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was the best NBA player.
Cooper Flagg, a senior guard-forward from Montverde (Florida) Academy, and Sadie Engelhart, a track and field athlete from Ventura (California) High, won Gatorade National Players of the Year awards.
A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won the Best Female Sports Athlete award.
Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark also earned two trophies for her record-breaking performance in becoming the NCAA’s all-time career scoring leader and best college athlete for her Iowa basketball career.
JuJu Watkins won Best Breakthrough Athlete, taking home the first prize after the show started 30 minutes late due to President Joe Biden’s news conference.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was named Best Male Sports Athlete and Best NFL Player.
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