LOS ANGELES — Hosted by host Serena Williams, the ESPYS celebrated a landmark year for women’s sports, with Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins among the honorees Thursday night.
Staley, the coach of the national champion South Carolina women’s basketball team, received the Jimmy V Award for his perseverance. His friend, Tennessee star Nicki McCray-Penson, died of breast cancer and Staley’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia.
“I have to admit that I don’t really feel worthy of this recognition. Past Jimmy V Perseverance Award recipients have faced incredible challenges and proven themselves to be true warriors,” Staley said. “I have been a bystander to this immense courage and resilience.”
Staley’s Gamecocks won the best team award.
Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won the WNBA’s Most Outstanding Female Athlete and Most Outstanding Player awards.
“It’s crazy to think that a young girl who didn’t even want to play basketball is now up for one ESPY,” she said in remarks recorded on video.
The best male athlete was voted Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He was also voted the NFL’s best player.
“I’ve been with this kid for a couple years now and watching him grow as a football player, as a teammate, as a leader has been phenomenal,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said, accepting on Mahomes’ behalf, “but more than that, watching him grow as a father and a husband has been the best part.”
Biles won 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.
Clark, of the Indiana Fever, also won two trophies, for her record-breaking performance as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and as the top collegiate athlete, for her basketball career at Iowa.
“I’ve been a little busy in Indianapolis,” Clark said via video. “It’s been a special year for women’s track and field.”
Watkins won the award for best up-and-coming athlete, taking home the top prize after the show started 30 minutes late due to President Joe Biden’s press conference.
The Southern California basketball star had a breakout 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 amazing, powerful women who came before me and made this possible.”
Williams joked during her monologue at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and then sang after Ciara opened the show with a musical performance. Williams’ older sister, Venus, came out and joked that she had actually been asked to host the show and the siblings got into a fake argument.
“You might be wondering why I do this,” said Serena, a fashion enthusiast. “I take every opportunity to wear 16 outfits in three hours.”
The ABC broadcast resumed after a commercial break in the final minutes and began repeating the presentations from two previous awards shows. Williams’ farewell was cut out, as were the end credits. ABC did not immediately say what caused the problems. The show aired live in the Eastern and Central time zones and was delayed on the West Coast.
Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Service Award and mentioned the mother of the late Army Ranger who criticized ESPN for honoring the royal.
As his wife Meghan Markle cheered, the Duke of Sussex accepted the trophy from three veterans who were injured during their missions. 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 are Paralympic-style multi-sport games for wounded military personnel and veterans.
“This prize belongs to them, not to me,” Harry said.
Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, had criticized ESPN’s choice for Harry, saying some recipients working in the veterans community would have been more appropriate. Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Mary, for her presence and also gave a shout-out to Mary Tillman.
“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and I respect it,” he said. “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest loss.”
Former NFL safety Steve Gleason received 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 organization, Team Gleason, helps people with ALS live meaningful lives by providing support programs and services.
Gleason received a standing ovation as he took the stage in a motorized chair and was embraced by his former New Orleans Saints teammate Drew Brees. Gleason’s voice was heard through special technology. His young son, Rivers, stood next to his father, holding the trophy.
“To me, this honor is an encouragement and a triumph for the families who are currently living with ALS, for all people with disabilities or other illnesses,” he said. “I guess if you’ve never experienced fear, isolation or pain, you can walk out of here without flinching.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the MLB’s best player; Connor McDavid of the Stanley Cup finalist Edmonton Oilers was the NHL’s best player; and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was the NBA’s best player.
Cooper Flagg, a senior fullback from Montverde Academy (Fla.), and track and field athlete Sadie Engelhardt from Ventura High School (California) won the Gatorade National Players of the Year award.
A’ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won the award for best female athlete.
Indiana Fever freshman Caitlin Clark also won two trophies, for her record-breaking performance as the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and as the top collegiate athlete for her basketball career at Iowa.
JuJu Watkins won the award for best breakthrough athlete, taking home the top prize after the show started 30 minutes late due to President Joe Biden’s press conference.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been named the NFL’s top male athlete and top player.
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