The 23rd Annual ESPY Awards were given out Wednesday night, with Caitlyn Jenner front and center.
Jenner took home the Arthur Ashe Courage Award which is presented to prominent individuals who transcend the world of sport. Some of those figures include Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela, and Michael Same. Jenner, a former gold medalist, came out as a woman not too long ago and people haven’t stopped talking about it since.
It’s fitting for ESPN to give Caitlyn this prestigious award by doing something others are afraid to do, especially in the public eye. Her acceptance speech was a stand for people to accept the transgender community.
“Trans people deserve something vital; they deserve your respect. From that respect comes a more compassionate community” said Jenner. “If you want to call me names, make jokes and doubt my intentions, go ahead because the reality is I can take it…But for thousands of kids out there coming to terms with the reality of who they are, they shouldn’t have to take it.”
Caitlyn’s moving speech wasn’t the only thing that caught peoples attention as sport stars such as Ronda Rousey took home awards in both Best Female Athlete and Best Fighter. The surprises of the night go to the US Women’s Soccer team taking the award for Best Team and Mo’ne Davis taking the award for Best Breakthrough Athlete.
In a world where sports are ruled by men, its a huge step to see women rise in the world of sports and own it just like the Mannings and the Lebrons of the world.
Here’s the full list of winner from the 23rd Annual ESPY Awards:
Best Team
U.S. Women’s Soccer (WINNER)
Best Record-Breaking Performance
Peyton Manning throws record-509th touchdown pass (WINNER)
Best Breakthrough Athlete
Mo’ne Davis, Little League Baseball (WINNER)
Best Championship Performance
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers (WINNER)
Best Female Athlete
Ronda Rousey, MMA (WINNER)
Best Comeback Athlete
Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots (WINNER)
Best Play
Odell Beckham, Jr. catch (WINNER)
Best NBA Player
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (WINNER)
Best Upset
Mississippi over Alabama, FBS (WINNER)
Best Male Athlete
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (WINNER)
Best NFL Player
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (WINNER)
Best Fighter
Ronda Rousey, MMA (WINNER)
Best Coach/Manager
Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors (WINNER)
Best International Athlete
Lionel Messi, Barcelona/Argentina (WINNER)
Best MLB Player
Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels (WINNER)
Best NHL Player
Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks (WINNER)
Best Driver
Kevin Harvick, NASCAR (WINNER)
Best Male Golfer
Jordan Spieth (WINNER)
Best Male Action Sports Athlete
Ryan Dungey, Motocross (WINNER)
Best Female Action Sports Athlete
Kelly Clark, Snowboarding (WINNER)
Best Jockey
Victor Espinoza (WINNER)
Best Bowler
Jason Belmonte (WINNER)
Best MLS Player
Robbie Keane, Los Angeles Galaxy (WINNER)
Best Game
Patriots vs. Seahawks, Super Bowl (WINNER)
Best WNBA Player
Skylar Diggins, Tulsa Shock (WINNER)
Best Female Golfer
Lydia Ko (WINNER)
Best Male Tennis Player
Novak Djokovic (WINNER)
Best Female Tennis Player
Serena Williams (WINNER)
Best Male College Athlete
Marcus Mariota, Oregon Football (WINNER)
Best Female College Athlete
Missy Franklin, Cal Swimming (WINNER)
Best Male Athlete with a Disability
Krige Schabort, Triathlon (WINNER)
Best Female Athlete with a Disability
Becca Meyers, Swimming (WINNER)
