The 2023 ESPY Awards, hosted in magnificent style on a memorable evening, celebrated the remarkable achievements of athletes worldwide. The event, held at the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, gathered together the brightest stars of the sports world to honor their accomplishments over the past year. From heartwarming stories to astonishing displays of skill, the ESPY Awards celebrated the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance. Let’s look at some memorable moments and award winners from this renowned event.
The evening started with a captivating opening performance by Lil Wayne performing a mixed version of his 2008 hit “A Milli.” H.E.R. sang her current single, “The Journey,” as a homage to the 30th anniversary of basketball coach Jimmy Valvano’s inspirational speech at the first ESPYS in 1993 when he was terminally sick with cancer.
Outstanding Achievements:
Best Male Athlete:
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Best Female Athlete:
Mikaela Shiffrin, Ski
Best Breakthrough Athlete:
Angel Reese, LSU Women’s Basketball
Best Record-Breaking Performance
In a Historic moment, the Los Angeles Lakers LeBron James was honored with the Best Record-Breaking Performance presented to him by his Wife, Savannah James, and his three children, Bronny, Bryce, and Zhuri James. Lebron Has surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s scoring record in the NBA with 38,387 points.
Best Comeback Athlete:
Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets was named the best comeback athlete after overcoming a torn ACL to assist the Nuggets win their first NBA title in team history.
Best Play:
The best play went to Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings as he made the “catch of the century” in a game against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter. Jefferson secured the ball with one hand to make the greatest catch of the season and it was a pivotal moment in the Vikings victory as they trailed the Bills for most of the game.
Best Team:
The Kansas City Chiefs were awarded the greatest team after winning their third Lombardi Trophy. They finished 17-3, the most victories in team history for a single season, and featured seven Pro Bowlers. The Chiefs also won the AFC West for the eighth time in a row, the longest streak in team history.
Best NFL Player:
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Best MLB Player:
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
Best NHL Player:
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Best NBA Player:
Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Best WNBA Player:
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
One of the standout moments of the night was the presentation of the Pat Tillman Award for Service. This award honors those who have exemplified the principles and spirit of former NFL player and military veteran Pat Tillman by demonstrating remarkable devotion to assisting others. With great emotion, Damar Hamlin presented the Pat Tillman Award for Service to the staff that helped save his life, the Buffalo Bills training staff.
The 2023 ESPY Awards captivated audiences with its celebration of athletic excellence, remarkable achievements, and inspiring stories. From legendary athletes to rising stars, the ceremony provided a platform to honor the hard work and dedication of individuals who have left an indelible mark on the world of sports.
CLICK HERE for more awards and recognitions from the 2023 ESPY Awards.
