USWNT, Morgan take house high honors at ESPYS
The U.S. ladies’s nationwide soccer group’s day began with a parade by New York Metropolis’s Canyon of Heroes, included a flight to Los Angeles after which noticed Alex Morgan and the USWNT shine as the massive winners at The ESPYS on Wednesday evening on the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Morgan earned the ESPY for greatest feminine athlete, beating out general ladies’s World Cup Alpine snowboarding champion Mikaela Shiffrin, Breanna Stewart of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and gymnast Simone Biles.
The USWNT then gained greatest group, topping the World Sequence champion Boston Purple Sox, the Faculty Soccer Playoff-winning Clemson Tigers, the Tremendous Bowl champion New England Patriots, the NBA champion Toronto Raptors, the NCAA ladies’s school basketball champion Baylor Bears and the NCAA males’s basketball champion Virginia Cavaliers.
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The 2 ESPYS wins have been the most recent causes for the USWNT to rejoice after it captured its second consecutive World Cup title by beating the Netherlands 2-Zero on Sunday.
Morgan joked that her ESPY for greatest feminine athlete was the second-best trophy she has earned this week.
“I take into consideration the greats which have gained this award previously, and I am simply so honored to observe of their wonderful footsteps,” Morgan stated in her acceptance speech. “They not solely gained championships and numerous data however have been an inspiration to so many, together with me, as I dreamed of enjoying the game that I like. As athletes we attempt to encompass ourselves with the very best individuals to assist raise us up and to assist make this journey potential, and I am so lucky to have that in my life.”
Morgan set the tone for the World Cup champions when she scored 5 objectives within the group’s tournament-opening 13-Zero victory over Thailand.
She shook off critics who claimed she and her teammates celebrated objectives excessively and continued celebrating all the best way to the championship.
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In her acceptance speech for Greatest Feminine Athlete, Alex Morgan sends a message about teamwork and advocates for the rights of feminine athletes.
Along with its dominant play on the sphere, the USWNT’s advocacy for the LGBTQ group and pay fairness off the sphere has additionally drawn loads of acclaim.
Oscar-winning tackle Sandra Bullock, who introduced the Greatest Workforce winner Wednesday evening, stated upon presenting the award to the USWNT: “All these in favor of equal pay, say aye.” And ESPYS host Tracy Morgan added as he signed off for the evening: “Let’s pay these girls and let’s battle most cancers.”
Wednesday’s awards present marked the 27th version of The ESPYS. The V Basis for Most cancers Analysis has been synonymous with the present because the late Jim Valvano introduced its starting throughout a memorable speech on the 1993 ceremony.
It was introduced Wednesday that the V Basis has raised greater than $100 million for most cancers analysis since its inception.
Greatest Male Athlete
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Giannis Antetokounmpo accepts the award for Greatest Male Athlete, and thanks God, his household and his teammates for getting him to the place he’s right this moment.
Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo added to his offseason haul, pulling within the ESPY for Greatest Male Athlete.
The “Greek Freak” topped fellow nominees Mookie Betts of the Purple Sox, Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and PGA Tour star Brooks Koepka.
Final month, the 24-year-old Antetokounmpo grew to become the third-youngest participant to win NBA MVP over the previous 40 seasons, behind Derrick Rose and LeBron James.
Antetokounmpo was emotional when he accepted the MVP award, however stated upon receiving the ESPY on Tuesday evening: “Simply letting you guys know I am not going to cry right this moment.”
He then added: “As a child, I by no means thought I used to be going to win the ESPYS, so that is all about onerous work and if you imagine in your goals, issues like this may occur.”
Antetokounmpo averaged 27.7 factors, 12.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists per recreation throughout the common season because the Bucks completed an NBA-best 60-22. He was voted a 2019 All-Star group captain alongside James. And he grew to become the primary participant to common 25 factors and 10 rebounds per recreation on a group with the league’s greatest report since Shaquille O’Neal did it as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers in 1999-2000.
Greatest Breakthrough Athlete
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Saquon Barkley wins the ESPY for Greatest Breakthrough Athlete and says he respects all of the nominees he was up in opposition to for the award.
Saquon Barkley, who completed second within the NFL with 1,307 speeding yards as a rookie with the New York Giants, earned the ESPY for greatest breakthrough athlete.
The Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich, the Atlanta Hawks’ Trae Younger and tennis participant Naomi Osaka, the reigning ladies’s singles champion on the US Open and the Australian Open, have been the opposite nominees.
“I wish to say thanks to God for blessing me with the chance to get up each single day and play the game I like and have impression on others,” Barkley stated upon receiving the award. “I wish to say thanks to the Giants group for drafting me and taking an opportunity on me. I would not be capable to play the game I like with out you guys additionally.”
Barkley was named the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr by The Related Press and likewise gained the fan voting for the Pepsi Rookie of the Yr.
Barkley additionally had a team-high 91 receptions — an NFL report for a rookie working again — for 721 yards, and his 2,028 yards from scrimmage led the league.
He was the third rookie in NFL historical past to have 2,000 scrimmage yards, becoming a member of Eric Dickerson in 1983 and Edgerrin James in 1999.
His six rushes of 50-plus yards this season have been probably the most by a Giants participant in a season because the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, in line with Elias Sports activities Bureau analysis.
Greatest File-Breaking Efficiency
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In his acceptance speech for Greatest File-Breaking Efficiency, Drew Brees commends the U.S. ladies’s nationwide group on its dedication to the sport of soccer and sends the group a message about what may be discovered from enjoying sports activities.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees obtained the ESPY for greatest record-breaking efficiency for turning into the NFL’s all-time main passer.
He gained the award over Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu, who grew to become ladies’s basketball’s all-time chief in triple-doubles; Golden State’s Klay Thompson, who set the report for Three-pointers in an NBA recreation with 14; and Matthew Boling, who set the highschool report within the 100 meters.
Brees broke Peyton Manning’s report of 71,940 profession passing yards with a 62-yard landing move to receiver Tre’Quan Smith within the second quarter of a 43-19 victory over the Washington Redskins in October.
The sport was top-of-the-line performances of his 18-year profession, as Brees accomplished 26 of 29 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns. His completion proportion of 89.7 was a profession greatest.
Brees is the unlikeliest of all-time nice quarterbacks — simply 6 ft tall, barely recruited out of highschool, he fell to the San Diego Chargers within the second spherical of the NFL draft out of Purdue in 2001 and was doubted by many of the league when he grew to become a free agent after a career-threatening shoulder harm in 2005. Brees, 40, completed final season at 74,437 passing yards.
Greatest Recreation
The Los Angeles Rams’ 54-51 victory over the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Monday Night time Soccer in November gained the ESPY for greatest recreation.
With 105 complete factors, it marked the primary time an NFL recreation ever had greater than 100 factors with 50 from every group. The sport additionally totaled 14 touchdowns, together with three by defensive gamers, and 56 first downs.
The Texas A&M soccer group’s 74-72 victory over LSU in seven overtimes and the Notre Dame ladies’s basketball group’s 81-76 upset of UConn within the Closing 4 have been the opposite nominees.
Greatest Play
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Upon accepting the award for Greatest Play, Katelyn Ohashi sends a message about stereotypes of females and the acceptance of feminine athletes.
Katelyn Ohashi’s star-making ground train routine in January, which earned her an ideal 10.Zero rating and went immediately viral, gained the ESPY for greatest play.
Ohashi, 22, electrified the group — and the judges — on the 2019 Collegiate Problem together with her routine, which amassed practically 100 million views on YouTube.
“In a single day fame from one in 1,000,000. Over 100 million views. I began seeing myself within the information,” the UCLA star stated in her acceptance speech. “Making an attempt to infuse just a little little bit of pleasure into the world in my sport. After all of the abuse and misuse of individuals in greater energy. It is no marvel why our voices went silent as theirs would simply tower. However right this moment, mine now not cowers.”
Ohashi topped the Miami Dolphins’ “Miami Miracle” that downed the Patriots, Raptors ahead Kawhi Leonard’s Recreation 7 buzzer-beater in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers and Tennessee Titans working again Derrick Henry’s record-setting 99-yard landing run.
Pat Tillman Award
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Veteran Kirstie Ennis, who misplaced her left leg whereas serving in Iraq, receives the 2019 Pat Tillman ESPY Award for Service.
Former U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Kirstie Ennis, an athlete for many her life earlier than struggling extreme accidents in a helicopter crash whereas on energetic obligation in Afghanistan, obtained the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Ennis, who has undergone greater than three dozen surgical procedures, together with the amputation of her left leg above the knee, after struggling facial trauma, a traumatic mind harm, cervical and lumbar backbone trauma, and bilateral shoulder harm within the 2012 crash, turned to sports activities throughout her restoration. She has gained three gold medals in swimming on the Warrior Video games, however competitions are solely a part of her story.
She has additionally walked 1,000 miles throughout Britain, and has reached the highest of Mount Kilimanjaro, Carstensz, Mount Elbrus and Aconcagua in her try to turn out to be the primary feminine above-the-knee amputee to summit all seven of the world’s highest peaks.
“I began my mission as a result of I did not have the position mannequin I wanted or wished whereas I used to be within the hospital,” Ennis stated in her acceptance speech. “Now when I haven’t got the battle inside to place one foot in entrance of the opposite, I remind myself of the individuals who could also be watching. The younger ones who want a pillar of hope, the women and men who might have inspiration to maintain going, and the nonbelievers ready for me to show them improper. I am one of many fortunate ones who got here house. Damaged, however I am nonetheless right here, and I nonetheless can. So I’ll proceed day by day for individuals who cannot.”
The award is known as after former NFL linebacker and U.S. Military Ranger Pat Tillman, who died throughout energetic service in Afghanistan after he enlisted within the navy following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist assaults.
Jimmy V Award
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2019 Jimmy V Award recipient Rob Mendez, who was born with out legs and arms, all the time persevered and by no means gave up on his dream of being a head soccer coach.
Highschool soccer coach Rob Mendez, who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a uncommon dysfunction that triggered him to be born with out arms or legs, was the recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Mendez, who developed a ardour for soccer at an early age and taught himself the basics of soccer utilizing the Madden video video games, spent 12 years as an assistant coach for varied packages.
In 2018, he was employed as a head coach for the junior varsity soccer group at Prospect Excessive College in Saratoga, California. In his first season, he led his group to an Eight-2 report and narrowly misplaced the league championship recreation Three-Zero.
“It is actually been onerous for me to fathom receiving this award, being acknowledged alongside heroes of mine like Coach Valvano, Stuart Scott, Jim Kelly and so many others,” Mendez stated in his acceptance speech. “However the actuality is that I’m right here. And if there’s any message that I wish to give to you tonight, it is to take a look at me and see how a lot ardour I put into teaching, and the way far it is gotten me. Whenever you dedicate your self to one thing and open your thoughts to totally different prospects, and concentrate on what you are able to do as a substitute of what you possibly can’t do, you actually can go locations on this world.”
Arthur Ashe Award
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2019 Arthur Ashe Braveness Award winner Invoice Russell has demonstrated a lifetime of combating in opposition to injustice. Samuel L. Jackson and Barack Obama converse concerning the legend in a characteristic narrated by Angela Bassett.
NBA legend Invoice Russell was honored with this yr’s Arthur Ashe Braveness Award.
Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant introduced Russell with the award, which is given yearly to somebody who embodies the spirit of its namesake, tennis legend and longtime human rights campaigner Arthur Ashe.
Along with being an 11-time NBA champion, the 85-year-old Russell has been a frontrunner within the civil rights motion.
“Each technology has a accountability to show the following,” Bryant stated whereas presenting the award. “One factor I discovered about Invoice was how he drew inspiration from his grandfather, whose motto was, ‘A person has to attract a line inside himself, that he is not going to enable any man to cross.’ Invoice discovered from that and added his personal motto: You disrespect the road, you disrespect me. Greater than 50 years later, Invoice and his grandfather’s mottos nonetheless resonate powerfully and nonetheless converse loudly for Invoice’s beliefs.”
Boston Mayor Marty Walsh tweeted in honor of Russell on Wednesday evening, posting a photograph of Metropolis Corridor, which he stated had been “lit inexperienced to honor certainly one of Boston’s greats.”
Tonight Metropolis Corridor is lit inexperienced to honor certainly one of Boston’s greats, Invoice Russell, as he receives the Arthur Ashe Award for Braveness. Congratulations! #ArthurAsheAward @celtics @ESPYS pic.twitter.com/Y9sta7FVIr
— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) July 11, 2019
Among the many different notable winners introduced Wednesday evening:
Greatest NFL Participant: Mahomes, Chiefs
Greatest MLB Participant: Yelich, Brewers
Greatest NHL Participant: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Greatest Faculty Athlete: Zion Williamson, Duke
Greatest Coach: Jim Calhoun
Greatest WNBA Participant: Stewart, Storm
Greatest Male Golfer: Koepka
Greatest Feminine Golfer: Brooke Henderson
Greatest Feminine Tennis Participant: Serena Williams
Greatest Male Tennis Participant: Roger Federer
Greatest Driver: Kyle Busch
Greatest Worldwide Ladies’s Soccer Participant: Sam Kerr
Greatest Worldwide Males’s Soccer Participant: Lionel Messi
Greatest MLS Participant: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Greatest MMA Fighter: Daniel Cormier
Greatest Upset: Andy Ruiz Jr. defeats Anthony Joshua
Greatest Comeback: St. Louis Blues