LOS ANGELES – Led 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 those honored on Thursday night.
Staley, coach of the national champion South Carolina women’s basketball team, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. His friend, Tennessee standout Nicki McCray-Penson, died of breast cancer and Staley’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia.
“I must confess that I feel a little unworthy of this recognition. Previous recipients of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award have faced incredible challenges and proven themselves to be true warriors,” said Staley. “I was just a spectator of this 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 player in the WNBA.
“It’s crazy to think that a young girl who didn’t even want to play basketball is now up for at least one ESPY,” she said in videotaped comments.
The best male sports athlete was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He was also named the best player in the NFL.
“I’ve been with this kid for a few years now and watching him grow as a football player, as a teammate, as a leader has been phenomenal,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, accepting on Mahomes’ behalf, “but more than watching him grow as a father and husband was the best part.”
Biles won the best returning athlete award weeks before competing in 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 record-setting performance in becoming the NCAA’s all-time career scoring leader, and for top college athlete, for her basketball career at Iowa.
“I’m a little busy in Indianapolis,” Clark said via video. “It was a special year in women’s athletics.”
Watkins won the award for best new athlete, taking first prize after the show started 30 minutes late because of President Joe Biden’s press 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 and powerful women who came before me and who made this possible.”
Williams joked during her monologue at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood and then sang after Ciara opened the show with a musical performance. Williams’ older sister Venus appeared and joked that she had been asked to host and the siblings got into a mock argument.
“You might be wondering why I’m doing this,” said Serena, a fashion fan. “Any opportunity to wear 16 outfits in three hours, I’m going to take it.”
The ABC broadcast returned from commercial break in the final minutes and began repeating performances from two previous awards shows. Williams’ farewell was also interrupted, as were the end credits. ABC said a technical glitch in the feed affected the live program in the Eastern and Central time zones. Should be corrected for tape delay viewing in the West.
Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service and mentioned the late Army Ranger’s mother, who criticized ESPN for honoring the royal.
With wife Meghan giving a standing ovation, the Duke of Sussex accepted the trophy from three service veterans who were injured during their deployments. 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 serve as a Paralympic-style multisport games for wounded or injured military personnel and veterans.
“This award belongs to them, not me,” said Harry.
Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, criticized ESPN’s selection of Harry, saying there are recipients who work in the veterans community who would have been a better fit. Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Marie, for her presence and also thanked Mary Tillman.
“Your defense of Pat’s legacy is deeply personal and I respect it,” he said. “The bond between mother and child 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 son, Rivers, stood next to his father and held the trophy.
“For me, this honor represents some encouragement and triumph for families currently living with ALS, all people living with disabilities or other illnesses,” he said. “I suppose if you’ve never experienced fear, isolation, or suffering, you can roll your sanctified ass out of here.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the best player in the MLB; Connor McDavid of the Stanley Cup runner-up Edmonton Oilers was the best player in the NHL; and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was the best player in the NBA.
Cooper Flagga senior forward from Montverde (Florida) Academy, and track and field athlete Sadie Engelhardt from Ventura (Calif.) High won Gatorade National Players of the Year.
The three-hour program on ABC was postponed when Biden’s nationally televised news conference started late and lasted 30 minutes in program time.
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