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Serena Williams, from left, Quinta Brunson, center, and Venus Williams make comments at the ESPY awards on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) |
Hosted by Serena Williams, The ESPYS recognized the achievements of women in sports. Honorees included Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley, and JuJu Watkins.
Ms. Staley, the head coach of the South Carolina women’s
basketball team, which recently achieved the prestigious title of national
champions, was honored with the esteemed Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. This
recognition serves as a testament to her unwavering determination and
resilience in the face of adversity. Notably, Ms. Staley experienced profound
personal challenges when her close friend, the remarkable Tennessee standout
Nicki McCray-Penson, succumbed to breast cancer, while her own sister
courageously battled leukemia.
“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 said. “I
have merely been a spectator to such immense courage and resilience.”
Staley’s Gamecocks won the best team award.
Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won as best women’s sports
athlete and as best WNBA player.
“It’s crazy to think that a young girl that didn’t even want
to play basketball is now up in the running for even one ESPY,” she said in
videotaped remarks.
The best men’s sports athlete was Kansas City Chiefs
quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He also claimed best NFL player.
“I been around this kid for a few years now and to watch 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
to watch him grow as a father and a husband has been the best part.”
Biles earned best comeback athlete weeks before she competes
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 earned two trophies, for
record-breaking performance in becoming the NCAA’s all-time career scoring
leader, and as best college athlete, for her Iowa basketball career.
“I’m a little bit busy in Indianapolis,” Clark said via
videotape. “It was a special year in women’s athletics.”
Watkins won best breakthrough athlete, taking the first
award after the show began 30 minutes late because of 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.
“This is crazy,” Watkins said. “I want to thank all the
great, powerful women who came before me that made this possible.”
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Serena Williams performs at the ESPY awards on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) |
Williams joked during her monologue at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and later 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 and the siblings got into a mock argument.
“You may be wondering why I’m doing this,” noted fashion
fiend Serena said. “Any opportunity to wear 16 outfits in three hours, I’m
going to take it.”
The ABC telecast returned from a commercial break in the
final minutes and began repeating the presentations of two earlier awards.
Williams’ goodbye also was cut off, as were the final credits. ABC said a
technical glitch in the feed affected the live show in the East and Central
time zones. It was to be corrected for tape-delayed viewing in the West.
Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, and
he mentioned the late Army Ranger’s mother who had criticized ESPN for honoring
the royal.
With wife Meghan joining in a standing ovation, the Duke of
Sussex accepted the trophy from three service veterans who were injured during
their tours of duty. Harry served in the British military 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 servicemen and
veterans.
“This award belongs to them, not to me,” Harry said.
Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, had criticized ESPN’s choice
of Harry, saying there are recipients working in the veteran community who
would have been more fitting. Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Marie, for her
attendance and also acknowledged Mary Tillman.
“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and one
that I respect,” he said. “The bond between a mother and son is eternal and
transcends even the greatest losses.”
Retired NFL safety Steve Gleason was honored with 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.
Gleason received 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 through special technology. His young son,
Rivers, stood next to his father and held the trophy.
“For me, this honor represents some encouragement and
triumph for the families currently living with ALS, all the people living with
disabilities or other illnesses,” he said. “I suppose if you have never
experienced fear, isolation or suffering, you can roll your sanctified ass
right out of here.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was best MLB
player; Connor McDavid of the Stanley Cup runner-up Edmonton Oilers was best
NHL player; and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was best NBA player.
Cooper Flagg, a senior guard-forward from Montverde
(Florida) Academy, and track and field athlete Sadie Engelhardt of Ventura
(California) High won the Gatorade National Players of the Year.
The three-hour show on ABC was delayed when Biden’s
nationally televised news conference started late and ran 30 minutes into the
show’s timeslot.