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LOS ANGELES — The 2023 ESPY Awards are here, as some of the top athletes from around the world are in Los Angeles to celebrate and honor the past year in sports.
Alongside the recognition of the championship players, there will be performances from Lil’ Wayne and H.E.R. Also, the ESPYS will also honor inspiring and courageous athletes with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance and the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Here are the top moments and award winners for the 2023 ESPY Awards:
Best play
In one of the most thrilling regular season games of the NFL season, the Minnesota Vikings trailed the Buffalo Bills late in the fourth quarter and needed to convert a long fourth down to keep the game alive. Kirk Cousins threw it to his top target Justin Jefferson, which appeared to be an interception. Instead, Jefferson used one hand to secure the ball to grab the best catch of the NFL season, and it was a big moment in the eventual Vikings win.
USWNT given Arthur Ashe Award for Courage
The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage was given to the USWNT for its years long fight for equal pay with the men’s side, and finally getting a deal done in May 2022.
While the team is currently preparing for the 2023 World Cup, several former players took the stage to accept the award and thanked every single person to ever play for the team for always fighting for equal treatment.
Angel Reese named breakthrough athlete, says another national championship is on the way
The “Bayou Barbie” is the breakthrough athlete of the year.
Angel Reese averaged a career-high 23 points a game and won a national championship in her first season with the LSU Tigers after transferring from Maryland. The LSU forward’s “you can’t see me” and “ring me” gestures against Iowa’s Caitlin Clark in the national championship game took the college basketball world by storm. But, it was her star power and play on the court that propelled her to the front of the best breakthrough athletes. This is the first ESPY Award victory for Reese.
She said “another natty” is coming for her and the Tigers.
Carmelo Anthony honored by ‘Banana Boat Crew’
The members of the “Banana Boat Crew” − LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul − paid their respects to their fellow member, Carmelo Anthony, for his NBA career and what he’s accomplished off the court.
H.E.R. delivers tribute to Jimmy V Award
Grammy-award winning artist H.E.R. gave a powerful performance in honor of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, showcasing her strong vocal range while some of the past Jimmy V Award winners’ speeches played in the background, including Craig Sager’s and Stuart Scott’s.
‘James Gang’ salutes their king, LeBron James says he isn’t retiring
The “James Gang” was on-hand to celebrate LeBron James for becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, as Savannah, Bronny, Bryce and Zhuri introduced the Los Angeles Lakers star as their king. Zhuri even had to stop her mom from cussing.
James thanked his family for all the sacrifices they made for him to have such a dominant career, but the highlight of his speech was him announcing that he isn’t done playing in the NBA after he pondered the thought at the end of the Lakers’ season.
“The day I can’t give the game everything on the floor is the day I’ll be done. Lucky for you guys, that day is not today,” he said.
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance given to Liam Hendriks
The three-time MLB All-Star announced in January he would begin treatment for non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and four months later, made his return after he was in remission.
He told USA TODAY Sports prior to the ESPYS he was “very honored” to be given the award and hopes his award raises awareness for cancer research. During his speech he echoed the famous words of Jim Valvano, who gave his powerful speech 30 years ago.
“Don’t give up, don’t ever give up,” Hendriks said.
San Antonio Spurs honored for service in Uvalde
The entire San Antonio Spurs organization was honored as the sports humanitarian team of the year for helping the community in Uvalde, Texas, heal after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in May 2022. The team held practices in Uvalde and volunteered and raised funds for the community.
Best championship performance
Lionel Messi was given the award for best championship performance as his two goals in the 2022 World Cup Final helped Argentina win its first World Cup since 1986. After a 3-3 score forced the match into a penalty shootout, Messi calmly knocked his shot down to keep Argentina alive. Messi had seven goals and three assists in the tournament. This is Messi’s fourth ESPYS win.
Damar Hamlin embraces Buffalo Bills training staff during presentation of Pat Tillman Award for Service
The Buffalo Bills training staff was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service, but not before Damar Hamlin got to introduce the staff that helped save his life. He was met with a standing ovation from the crowd, and after a video about Hamlin’s recovery, the Bills safety was in tears.
After announcing the training staff as the winner of the award, the personnel that came onto the stage all embraced Hamlin with a hug. Head athletic trainer Nate Breske encouraged everyone to learn CPR to save the next life, and talked about how happy he was to have Hamlin there.
“Thank you for staying alive brother,” Breske said.
Best athlete, men’s sports
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs was named the best athlete in men’s sports.
Mahomes won his second Super Bowl, Super Bowl MVP and regular season MVP last season. He threw for a career-high 5,250 yards and his second-most touchdowns in a season with 41. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a 38-35 victory over the Eagles in Super Bowl 57 with three touchdowns and 226 total yards. This is Mahomes’ second ESPY Award for best male athlete; he also won in 2019 after his first MVP season.
Best athlete, women’s sports
Mikaela Shiffrin was named the best athlete in women’s sports, as she became the winningest skier of all-time this season with 87 Alpine Skiing World Cup victories in 11 years. Shiffrin is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and five-time overall World Cup champion. This is Shiffrin’s third nomination for Best Athlete, Women’s Sports, but her first time winning the award.
Prior to the show, Shiffrin told USA TODAY Sports she couldn’t fathom winning the award.
“I’m so privileged and happy to be here, to be nominated, to meet so many amazing people,” Shiffrin said. “It’s like the nomination is already a win.”
Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award
Jrue Holiday of the Milwaukee Bucks and former USWNT forward Lauren Holiday were honored with the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for their work in uplifting Black communities, including supporting small businesses, nonprofits and donations to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. When accepting the award, Jrue Holiday preached about being kind to everyone.
“Sometimes I think being a human can be pretty simple. Just love the person next to you,” he said.
Best comeback athlete
NBA champion Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets was named the best comeback athlete, as he came back from a torn ACL to help give the Nuggets their first NBA title in franchise history. But he was ready to share his award with Jon Jones.
Pat McAfee gives monologue, throws shade at Skip Bayless
There is no host for this year’s show, but soon-to-be ESPN personality Pat McAfee came on stage to deliver a monologue to preview the show. He mentioned some of the stars in attendance, as well as recognizing how incredible it is Damar Hamlin is in attendance. He also threw some shade at Skip Bayless.
Lil’ Wayne opens 2023 ESPY Awards with performance
Lil’ Wayne kicked off the award show with a sports-rendition of “A Milli,” and he had several people in the crowd up and loving the performance.
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