A Night Of Honors ESPY Awards 2015.
(July 15, 2015) – The ESPYS aired live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles CA.
Host comedian/actor Joel McHale opened the show by entertaining the crowd at the expense of the likes of Justin Bieber, Floyd Mayweather, Bill Cosby and the Seattle Seahawks’ infamous Super Bowl decision.
Los Angeles, CA – July 15, 2015 – Microsoft Theatre: Joel McHale during The ESPYS Presented by Capital One (Photo by Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
Presenters included: Mike Epps (Survivor’s Remorse), Julie Foudy (analyst/retired professional soccer player), Ed Helms (Vacation), Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers), Chris Long (St. Louis Rams), Danica Patrick (NASCAR driver), Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks), Britney Spears (“Britney: Piece of Me”), Kiefer Sutherland, Vince Vaughn (True Detective), JJ Watt (Houston Texans)
(Photo by Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
Stephen Curry, Mo’ne Davis, Peyton Manning and the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team were among the night’s big winners. Stephen Curry took home the Best Male Athlete Award. The Pat Tillman Award is given to an athlete who best exemplifies the spirit of the former NFL safety – Danielle Green was the choice this year. Ms. Green lost her left arm while serving in the Army during the Iraq War. Leah Still, the daughter of Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still, was given the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Leah – who is recovering from Stage 4 neuroblastoma cancer – was not able to attend, so a taped special thank-you message was played.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award went to Caitlyn Jenner. She is the third consecutive LGBT winner of the Arthur Ashe Award, joining past winners Michael Sam and Robin Roberts.
Ms. Jenner used her acceptance speech to advocate for tolerance of each other’s differences…and asked for acceptance and understanding of transgender people. A teary-eyed Caitlin thanked her family, mother (who waved from the audience) and long-time friend Diane Sawyer for their love and support.
Category Winners.
Best Male Athlete Stephen Curry
Best Female Athlete Ronda Rousey
Best Championship Performance LeBron James
Best Breakthrough Athlete Mo’ne Davis
Best Record-Breaking Performance Peyton Manning
Best Upset Mississippi Over Alabama
Best Game Patriots vs. Seahawks Super Bowl
Best Team United States women’s national soccer team
Best Coach/Manager Steve Kerr
Best MLB Player Mike Trout
Best NHL Player Jonathan Toews
Best Fighter Ronda Rousey
Best NFL Player Aaron Rodgers
Best NBA Player Stephen Curry
Best Comeback Athlete Rob Gronkowski
Best Driver Kevin Harvick
Best Jockey Victor Espinoza
Best Bowler Jason Belmonte
Best MLS Player Robbie Keane
Best International Athlete Leo Messi
Best WNBA Player Maya Moore
Best Male Golfer Jordan Spieth
Best Female Golfer Lydia Ko
Best Male Tennis Player Novak Djokovic
Best Female Tennis Player Serena Williams
Best Male College Athlete Marcus Mariota
Best Female College Athlete Missy Franklin
Best Male Athlete with a Disability Krige Schabort
Best Female Athlete with a Disability Becca Meyers
Best Male Action Athlete Ryan Dungey
Best Female Action Athlete Kelly Clark
Best Play Odell Beckham Jr.’s catch