The ESPY Awards commemorated a breakthrough year for women’s sports, with black women taking center stage

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Led by host Serena Williams, the ESPYS celebrated a milestone year for women’s sports. Thursday night’s honorees included Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, Dawn Staley and JuJu Watkins.

Staley, the coach of the national champion South Carolina women’s basketball team, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Her friend, Tennessee star Nicki McCray-Penson, died of breast cancer, and Staley’s sister was diagnosed with leukemia.

“I have to admit that I feel a little unworthy of this honor. Previous Jimmy V Perseverance Award recipients have faced incredible challenges and proven to be true warriors,” Staley said. “I was merely a spectator of such incredible courage and resilience.”

Staley’s Gamecocks won the Best Team award.

Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces won within the categories of best female athlete and best WNBA player.

“It’s crazy to think that a young girl who didn’t even want to play basketball is now up for even one ESPY Award,” she said in a taped speech.

The best male athlete was Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. He was also named the NFL’s best player.

“I’ve been around this kid for a few years now, and watching him grow as a player, as a teammate and as a leader has been phenomenal,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said of accepting the offer on Mahomes’ behalf, “but most of all, watching him grow as a father and a husband has been the best part.”

Biles earned the title of best comeback athlete just weeks before her performance on the Paris Olympics. The most decorated gymnast in history withdrew from the team competition on the Tokyo Games to prioritize her mental health.

Clark, of the Indiana Fever, also won two trophies: for her record-breaking achievement of becoming the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer, and for essentially the most collegiate female athlete for her basketball profession at Iowa State.

“I’m a little busy in Indianapolis,” Clark said on video. “It’s been a special year in women’s sports.”

Watkins won the breakthrough athlete category, taking home the highest award after the show began half-hour late as a consequence of President Joe Biden’s news conference.

The Southern California basketball star had a stellar freshman season, leading the Trojans to the NCAA Tournament semifinals for the primary time in a long time.

“It’s crazy,” Watkins said. “I want to thank all the amazing, powerful women who came before me and made this possible.”

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Williams joked during her monologue on the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, and later sang after Ciara opened the show with a musical performance. Williams’ older sister, Venus, got here out and joked about being asked to host, and the siblings engaged in a mock argument.

“You may wonder why I do this,” said fashionista Serena. “Any chance I get to wear 16 outfits in three hours, I’ll take it.”

The ABC broadcast returned from a business break in the ultimate minutes and commenced repeating the presentations of the 2 earlier awards. Williams’ farewell was also cut, as were the closing credits. ABC said a technical failure in the printed affected the live broadcast within the Eastern and Central time zones. It was to be corrected in an effort to delay the tape transmission within the Western portion of the show.

Prince Harry received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, and mentioned the mother of a deceased soldier who criticized ESPN for honoring a member of the royal family.

To a standing ovation by his wife Meghan, the Duke of Sussex accepted a trophy from three veterans who had been wounded in service. Harry served within the British Army for 10 years, including two tours in Afghanistan as a helicopter pilot.

In 2014, he founded the Invictus Games, a multi-sport Paralympic Games for wounded soldiers and veterans.

“This award belongs to them, not me,” Harry said.

Tillman’s mother, Mary Tillman, criticized ESPN’s number of Harry, saying there are honorees working within the veterans community who could be more appropriate. Harry thanked Tillman’s widow, Marie, for her presence and likewise recognized Mary Tillman.

“Her advocacy for Pat’s legacy is deeply personal, and I honor that,” he said. “The bond between mother and son is eternal and transcends even the greatest losses.”

Retired NFL player Steve Gleason was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. He was diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, in 2011. His nonprofit organization, Team Gleason, helps people with ALS live their lives to the fullest 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 audible through special technology. His young son, Rivers, stood next to his father, holding the trophy.

“For me, this honor represents a certain encouragement and triumph for families currently living with ALS, for anyone living with a disability or other illness,” he said. “I suppose if you’ve never experienced fear, isolation or suffering, you can roll your sacred ass out of here.”

Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers was named the MLB MVP; Connor McDavid of the Stanley Cup runner-up Edmonton Oilers was named the NHL MVP; and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was named the NBA MVP.

Montverde (Florida) Academy point guard Cooper Flagg and Ventura (Calif.) High School track and field athlete Sadie Engelhardt won the Gatorade National Players of the Year award.

The three-hour ABC show was delayed because Biden’s nationally televised news conference began late and ran half-hour before the tip of the show.