Tag: ESPY Awards

WATCH: Ravens QB Lamar Jackson presented Celtics’ Jaylen Brown with ESPY award

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson presented Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown with an ESPY

The Baltimore Ravens have seen quarterback Lamar Jackson become one of the best at his position since he was drafted in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. He has won countless awards and honors and still has plenty of time left to add to his trophy cabinet.

Jackson was presented with a 2024 ESPY Award for the “best play” of the year on his self-catch in the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs. However, he also presented an ESPY, as he and Halle Bailey called Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown to the stage to accept his award for “best championship performance.”

Brown and the Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals, defeating the Dallas Mavericks in five games. Brown won the Finals MV award and took an incredible route to lead Boston to their first title since 2008.

Serena Williams offers playful remarks on LeBron and Bronny James at ESPY Awards

Serena Williams hosted the ESPYs and roasted LeBron James.

Serena Williams hosted the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday night. As the host of an awards ceremony, Serena needed to bring a bunch of jokes, quips, and lighthearted comments. She did not disappoint, and she included some material on LeBron James and Bronny James of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Serena Williams has won 23 major singles championships, making her — in the eyes of many — the most successful women’s singles tennis player of all time. Technically, Margaret Court has 24 titles, which means Serena can’t claim the all-time record. However, Court won a lot of her 24 majors at a time in tennis history when many pros did not play at the Australian Open, whose stature and prize money were nothing close to what they are today. The travel wasn’t worth it for a lot of the elite women’s tennis players of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Therefore, most tennis historians would rate Serena’s 23 titles as a bigger achievement than Court’s 24.

LeBron James and Bronny James will, next season, likely become the first father and son to play together on the same NBA team. Bronny James figures to play most of next season in the G League, but it’s hard to imagine the Lakers not arranging for Bronny to play at least one game (probably a handful of games) with his dad in a Laker jersey.

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WATCH: Cam Newton interviews Panthers QB Bryce Young at 2024 ESPY Awards

The only two No. 1 overall draft picks in Panthers history linked up at the ESPYs on Thursday.

It happened.

For the first time in front of a camera, the only two No. 1 overall draft picks in Carolina Panthers history had a conversation. That chat went down at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday, when Cam Newton interviewed Bryce Young from the event’s red carpet.

Newton, the legendary quarterback-turned-media personality, took the opportunity to ask Young to address the Panthers faithful amidst the organization’s particularly rough stretch. Young, as usual, did not disappoint with his response.

“I just want them to know that I’m giving my all,” he replied. “We as a team, as an organization—we’re giving our all. Again, I get it—being a sports fans, being whatever it is, I appreciate how passionate the states of the Carolinas are. I’m grateful for that. I love being a part of that.

“We all don’t want anything worse than to win. We’re doing whatever it takes, we’re putting in the work and we’ll continue to do that. So, we appreciate the passion, we love it and I just want everyone in the Carolinas to know we’re gonna give our all to get where we need to be.”

Both men share a few unique experiences. In addition to being Carolina’s only two first overall selections, Newton and Young were tasked with trying to turn around a struggling product coming off of decorated, Heisman Trophy-winning college careers.

The challenge was met rather well by Newton—who put together a historic rookie campaign in 2011 and then proceeded to lead the Panthers to three NFC South titles and a Super Bowl appearance while bagging the franchise’s only Most Valuable Player award. Young, however, did not achieve that instant success—as he averaged 179.8 passing yards per game with 11 touchdowns as a rook and watched his squad go an NFL-worst 2-15 in 2023.

But with just one chapter of this new era behind us, there’s plenty of story left to be told by the new guy—and the old guy will certainly be watching.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes won ‘Best Male Athlete’ at 2024 ESPY Awards

Kansas City #Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes won the “Best Male Athlete” award at Thursday’s ESPY Awards.

Patrick Mahomes swept both of his individual ESPY Award nominations on Thursday night, taking home the title of “Best Male Athlete of the Year” for the second consecutive year after it was announced that he would win the “Best NFL Player” on Wednesday afternoon.

In a category that featured Los Angeles Angels/Dodgers all-star Shohei Ohtani, champion golfer Scottie Scheffler, and Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid, the Kansas City Chiefs superstar emerged victorious in back-to-back years. Comedian Nikki Glaser presented the award to head coach Andy Reid, who accepted it on Mahomes’ behalf and delivered a supportive speech for the reigning Super Bowl MVP.

“I’ve been around this kid for a few years now, and to watch him grow as a teammate and leader has been phenomenal. But really, more than that, to watch him grow as a father and husband has probably been the best part of that. It’s a real tribute to him.” said Reid. “We’re very lucky to have him in Kansas City. All of us are in the National Football League, but really, in Kansas City, we appreciate all he does for the city in itself and, obviously, for the organization.”

Mahomes finished 2023 with 4,183 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. He showed his grit and perseverance in the postseason by winning two road games, winning his third Super Bowl MVP, and leading the Chiefs to their third Lombardi Trophy in five years.

“On behalf of Patrick, he knows this is a team award; he would want me to make sure that I say he is all about the team. I’ve heard people get up here, some great coaches get up here and talk and do a phenomenal job, and players, likewise athletes. But this kid comes in the huddle every day, every practice, and says, Let’s be great.” said Reid. “It doesn’t come out like it’s corny, right? The guys respect and understand it, and that’s how he goes about his business on and off the field. My hat goes off to him for that. And again, on behalf of Patrick, thank you to the ESPYs and all our great fans and Chiefs Nation there; we appreciate all they do in supporting us, so thank you.”

Mahomes will have to wait to see if he and the Chiefs will win yet another accolade when the “Best Team” award is announced later in the ceremony.

USC superstar JuJu Watkins wins ESPY Award for best breakthrough athlete

JuJu adds an ESPY Award to her growing collection of honors.

USC won at the 2024 ESPY Awards on Thursday evening. USC women’s basketball superstar JuJu Watkins won the ESPY for best breakthrough athlete.

What more can be said about JuJu Watkins’ freshman season with USC women’s basketball? The numbers were impressive, but the impact tells the true and complete story about JuJu’s brilliance. USC was a No. 8 seed in the 2023 Women’s NCAA Tournament, a solid team but nowhere near a national championship or Final Four contender. JuJu came in as a freshman and instantly elevated the Trojans by several orders of magnitude. USC finished second in the cutthroat Pac-12, won the Pac-12 Conference Tournament, earned a No. 1 seed in the Women’s NCAA Tournament, and reached the Elite Eight for the first time since 1994. That’s an extraordinary level of impact, made even bigger when one realizes that JuJu was playing with a collection of transfers brought in by Lindsay Gottlieb as one-year roster additions. JuJu is now being accompanied by the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the country for the 2024-2025 season. USC is a frontline Final Four contender, and the expectations for the program are now “Final Four at minimum.” USC expects to be a national title contender on an annual basis with JuJu and Gottlieb leading the way.

We congratulate JuJu Watkins on her richly-deserved ESPY Award.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes wins ‘Best NFL Player’ at 2024 ESPY Awards

Kansas City #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes wins ‘Best NFL Player’ at 2024 ESPY Awards

The Kansas City Chiefs and superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes are winners, and it’s a day early for the ESPY Awards.

Mahomes already secured his second consecutive “Best NFL Player” victory at the 2024 ESPY Awards, as announced during Wednesday’s ESPN afternoon studio show, “NFL Live.”

The win is one of the three categories on the line tonight for the Chiefs as they will have to wait to see if they will also take home ‘Best Team’ and Mahomes for ‘Athlete of the Year.’

Mahomes didn’t have his best statistical season, finishing 2023 with 4,183 yards passing and 27 touchdowns. However, he showed his magic in the postseason by winning two road games, winning his third Super Bowl MVP, and leading the Chiefs to their third Lombardi Trophy in five years.

Mahomes beat out Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, and Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Myles Garrett for the award. He adds another honor to his already well-stocked list of accomplishments.

The ESPY Awards, presented by Capitol One and benefiting the V Foundation, will broadcast tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT on ABC.

Lamar Jackson, Joe Flacco were both nominated for an ESPY award

Ravens quarterbacks, past and present, are nominated for some of the more high profile ESPY awards.

If you love, hate, or are apathetic about the annual ESPY Awards, you might be slightly more interested this year.

That’s because Ravens quarterbacks, past and present, are nominated for some of the more high-profile ESPY awards. The reigning National Football League Most Valuable Player, Lamar Jackson is up for the Best NFL Player award.

Joe Flacco, Jackson’s predecessor, is up for the Best Comeback Athlete award. You have covered the last 16 years of Ravens starting quarterbacks between Flacco and Jackson.

Jackson is up against Myles Garrett (DE, Cleveland Browns), Patrick Mahomes (QB, Kansas City Chiefs), and Christian McCaffrey (RB, San Francisco 49ers) for the award.

The Ravens franchise QB is also nominated for the Best Play honor because of his 13-yard-pass to himself in the AFC Championship game

To win this plaudit, Jackson will have to beat out these three competitors:

Jayda Coleman calls GAME sending Oklahoma to their 4th Straight Championship (6/4/24)
Anthony Edwards Dunk of the Year (3/18/24)
Alabama scores on 4th & 31 to beat Auburn (11/25/23)

As for Flacco, he joined the division-rival Cleveland Browns late last season and led the Browns to a playoff appearance, going 4-1 as a starter.

He won the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after becoming the first player in league history to have 250 passing yards and multiple passing touchdowns in each of his first five games with one franchise.

The Super Bowl XLVII MVP is against Simone Biles, Paige Bueckers, and Zion Williamson.

The 2024 ESPY Awards will occur on Thursday, July 11, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This year’s host is Serena Williams.

Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud nominated for an ESPY

And to think, Stroud might be an even better person than he is football player. #GoBucks

Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud took the NFL by storm last season, putting together one of the best rookie seasons ever by a player under center. He led the League in yards per game and helped turn around the fortunes of a Houston franchise that missed the playoffs the year before, to one that one a playoff game last season.

And while many OSU fans may have seen this type of success coming, few saw it happening in his first year at the game’s highest level. He was a slam-dunk winner as the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, and now he might have another accolade coming his way.

According to a release by the Texans, Stroud has been nomiated for an ESPY as “Best Breakout Athlete,” after throwing for over 4,000 yards and tossing 23 touchdowns to just five interceptions. The competition will be stiff. Stroud is up against the San Antonio Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, USC Trojans‘ women’s basketball player JuJu Watkins, and LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant.

I think we can all agree that we’ll be rooting for Stroud to take home this award and build on what was a phenomenal rookie campaign for his sophomore season in the NFL coming up.

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Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs team nominated for 2024 ESPY Awards

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City #Chiefs team nominated for 2024 ESPY Awards | @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs are well-represented for the second consecutive year in the nominations for the 2024 ESPY Awards.

Reigning Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes is up for the same awards he won at last year’s ceremony. He’s again nominated in the “Best Male Athlete” and the “Best NFL Player” categories, hoping for another sweep.

He’ll have another competitive category for “Best Male Athlete,” with Los Angeles Angels/Dodgers all-star Shohei Ohtani, champion golfer Scottie Scheffler and Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid rounding out the competition. In the “Best NFL Player” category, Mahomes will face off against Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns, Lamar Jackson from the Baltimore Ravens, and Christian McCaffrey from the San Francisco 49ers.

The Chiefs, who have won back-to-back Super Bowl titles, seek back-to-back ESPY victories in the “Best Team” category.

For a complete list of the various awards and nominations, click here.

Remember, fan voting helps to decide the winner. You can cast your vote now for the Chiefs over on ESPN.

The ESPY Awards, presented by Capitol One and benefiting the V Foundation, will be broadcast on ABC on July 11 at 7:00 p.m. CT.

LSU’s Angel Reese wins ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete

Angel Reese added another accolade to her collection on Wednesday night.

LSU women’s basketball superstar [autotag]Angel Reese[/autotag] is adding another accolade to her repertoire.

On Wednesday night, Reese won the ESPY award for Best Breakthrough Athlete. She beat out Caitlin Clark, Brock Purdy and Julio Rodriguez to win the award.

A transfer from Maryland, Reese proved to be a transformational player for LSU this season. She set an NCAA record with 34 double-doubles while leading the Tigers to their first national championship in program history.

She also saw her online following skyrocket and has since become one of the highest-valued college athletes in terms of name, image and likeness in the entire country.

Reese, who was not eligible for the 2023 WNBA draft, will return to Baton Rouge this winter looking to lead the Tigers to another title with what should be an absolutely loaded team.

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