LOS ANGELES — Hosted by Serena Williams, the ESPYS celebrated a milestone for women’s sports on Thursday night, with guests including Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins.
Staley, coach of South Carolina’s national championship team, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for her support and fight for equality in women’s sports and for her leadership in the fight against cancer. Her girlfriend, Tennessee star Nicki McCray-Penson, died of breast cancer, and Staley’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia. Their struggles motivated Staley to become an advocate for cancer research.
“I must confess that I feel like I don’t really deserve this recognition. Previous recipients of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award have overcome incredible challenges and proven themselves to be true warriors,” Staley said. “I have merely been a spectator to such immense courage and resilience.”
Staley’s Gamecocks won the award for best team.
Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won the awards for Outstanding Female Athlete and Outstanding WNBA Player.
“It’s crazy to think that a young girl who didn’t even want to play basketball now has a chance to win even one ESPY,” she said in her videotaped speech.
Biles earned the award for 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.
Indiana Fever’s Clark also won two trophies: for her record-breaking achievement in becoming the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and for being the top college athlete for her basketball career at Iowa.
“I’m a little busy in Indianapolis,” Clark said via videotape. “It’s been a special year in women’s track and field.”
Watkins won the award for Outstanding Breakthrough Athlete, taking first place after the show started 30 minutes late due to President Joe Biden’s press conference.
The Southern California basketball player had an outstanding freshman season, leading the Trojans to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in decades.
“This is insane,” Watkins said. “I want to thank all the amazing, powerful women who came before me and made this possible.”
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 an apparent argument.
“You might be wondering why I do this,” said fashionista Serena. “Any chance to wear 16 outfits in three hours, I’ll take it.”
Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service and mentioned the mother of the late Army Ranger, who had criticized ESPN for honoring the royal family.
With his wife Meghan giving him a standing ovation, the Duke of Sussex accepted the trophy from three veterans who were injured in the line of duty. Harry served in the British Army for 10 years, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot.
In 2014, he conceived the Invictus Games, a Paralympic-style multi-sport event for wounded servicemen and veterans.
“This prize is theirs, not mine,” Harry said.
Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, criticized ESPN’s choice of Harry, saying there are recipients working in the veterans community who would be a better fit. 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 loss.”
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 organization, Team Gleason, helps people with ALS live meaningful lives by providing programs and support services.
Gleason received a standing ovation as he entered 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 holding the trophy.
“For me, this honor is an encouragement and a triumph for the families who are living with ALS right now, all the people who are living with a disability or any other disease,” he said. “I think if you’ve never experienced fear, isolation or suffering, you can roll your holy ass out of here.”
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was named MLB Player of the Year; Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, who finished runner-up in the Stanley Cup, was named NHL Player of the Year; and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was named NBA Player of the Year.
The best male sports athlete was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He also claimed the award for best NFL 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 award.
The three-hour show on ABC was delayed when Biden’s nationally televised news conference started late and ran 30 minutes into the broadcast.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.