On Thursday evening, some of the biggest stars in sports and entertainment gathered at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the year’s best moments in sports at The 2024 ESPYS presented by Capital One. The show, which aired live on ABC, was hosted by tennis legend and cultural icon Serena Williams and featured appearances by Andy Reid, Candace Parker, Colman Domingo, Draymond Green, Drew Brees, Jennifer Garner, Lil Wayne, Nikki Glaser, Paige Bueckers, Quinta Brunson, Rob Lowe, Venus Williams, and more.
Each year, The ESPYS recognizes individuals in the sports world who have demonstrated admirable strength and bravery in the face of adversity with three marquee awards: the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
"No matter the road ahead, we are here for you. We will leave no one behind.”
— ESPN (@espn) July 12, 2024
-Prince Harry after accepting the Pat Tillman Award for Service ❤️ pic.twitter.com/8VBXBggYP4
Prince Harry was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service in recognition of his tireless work making a positive impact for the veteran community through the power of sport. After serving for 10 years in the British Armed Forces, Prince Harry founded The Invictus Games Foundation, continuing his service by creating an international platform to support wounded, injured, and sick servicemen and women who are navigating both physical and invisible injuries.
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees presented his friend and former teammate Steve Gleason with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his heroic fight against ALS, saying Gleason has “always been determined to write his own story.” Since being diagnosed with the incurable disease in 2011, Gleason has made an incredible impact in the space. He established his nonprofit, Team Gleason, to empower people with ALS to live purposeful lives and ultimately bring an end to the disease; after years of advocacy.
University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance in recognition of her resilience on the court and ongoing support for women’s sports and equality in the sports world, as well as her leadership in the fight against cancer.
Former University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban was presented with the Icon Award in recognition of his incredible career by his former players, Mark Ingram and Bryce Young. Saban spoke about building community and expressed that the sports world has “a responsibility and obligation, because sports bring people together better than anything.”
Womens and men’s basketball players took home some of the biggest awards of the night. Candace Parker and Allyson Felix presented the award for Best Athlete, Women’s Sports to Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson. Rising star Caitlin Clark received two awards – Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports as well as Best Record-Breaking Performance for becoming the NCAA’s all-time scoring leader, breaking the record of basketball legend Pete Maravich. Fresh off his team’s NBA Finals win, Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown was recognized for the Best Championship Performance. USC’s JuJu Watkins took home her first ESPY Award for Best Breakthrough Athlete, and the University of South Carolina women’s basketball team was awarded Best Team to close out the show.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes received his second win for Best Athlete, Men’s Sports, joining LeBron James, Lance Armstrong, and Tiger Woods as the only other athletes to win the category multiple times. He was also named Best NFL Player. Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson won the award for Best Play for throwing a pass to himself during the Ravens’ AFC championship match against the Chiefs.
Ahead of the Paris Summer Olympics, gymnast Simone Biles received the Best Comeback Athlete recognition. Chicago Bears’ Keenan Allen, race car driver Ryan Blaney, and skier Lindsey Vonn presented the award.
"So, go ahead and enjoy women's sports like you would any other sports, because they are sports." - Venus Williams
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 12, 2024
"Except you, Harrison Butker. We don't need you." - Serena Williams
"At all. Like, ever." - Quinta Brunson #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/RhvxfiHUWN
The ESPYS raises awareness and funds for Foundation for Cancer Research, the charity founded by ESPN and the late basketball coach Jim Valvano at the first ESPYS back in 1993. ESPN and the V Foundation have vowed to continue to raise awareness and funds for cancer research until there is victory over cancer. This year, the V Foundation has a generous donor who will be matching gifts to the V Foundation up to a total of $1 million.
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