An ESPY Award (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) is aform of recognition presented by the American broadcast television network ABC and ESPN to honor individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during the calendar year preceding a given annual ceremony. The first show aired in 1993, much like the Grammy’s for sports, and is hosted by a contemporary celebrity. The style of the show is intentionally lighter, more relaxed and self-referential than many other awards shows, with comedic sketches usually included. From 1993 to 2004, ESPY Award winners were chosen only through voting by fans. Since 2004, sportswriters, broadcasters, sports executives, and sportspersons, collectively experts; or ESPN personalities also vote. Award winners have been selected thereafter exclusively through online fan balloting conducted from amongst candidates selected by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee.
The 2019 ceremony did not disappoint fans. The show was hosted by Tracy Morgan and aired live yesterday on ABC. Presenters included Dave Bautista, Linda Cardellini, Eric Dane, Eugenio Derbez, Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Billie Jean King, Chris Long, Joel McHale, Kumail Nanjiani, Lilly Singh and Usher. However, one of the most heartfelt awards was given to Fort Worth’s own, Danielle “Boogie” Wilson several days before the airing of the ESPY Awards. Dallas Wings guard, Skylar Diggins presented an honorary ESPY award at Fort Worth Paschal on June 3, 2019. Boogie is an academically gifted student and basketball player who hid that she was being raised by a single mother and homeless. “I have never had a student-athlete go through this much adversity and succeed and reach the goals they set as a freshman in high school,” Coach David Geer said. “She’s the epitome of a student-athlete. The sky’s the limit for the kid.”
Full List of Awards
Best Breakthrough Athlete: Saquon Barkley.
Best College Athlete: Zion Williamson.
Best Record Breaking Performance: Drew Brees.
Best Comeback: St. Louis Blues.
Best Moment: Lindsey Vonn, Rob Gronkowski and Dwyane Wade cap incredible careers.
Best Female Athlete: Alex Morgan.
Best Play: Katelyn Ohashi.
Best Game: Los Angeles Rams' record-setting victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on "Monday Night Football."
Best Male Athlete: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Best Team: U.S. Women's National Soccer Team.
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Rob Mendez.
Pat Tillman Award for Service: U.S. Marine Sgt. Kirstie Ennis.
Best Coach: Jim Calhoun.
Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Bill Russell.
Capital One Cup winners: Stanford women and Virginia men.
Best Viral Sports Moment: Katelyn Ohashi.
Best Upset: Andy Ruiz Jr. defeats Anthony Joshua.
Best International Men’s Soccer Player: Lionel Messi.
Best International Women’s Soccer Player: Sam Kerr.
Best NFL Player: Patrick Mahomes.
Best MLB Player: Christian Yelich.
Best NHL Player: Alexander Ovechkin.
Best Driver: Kyle Busch.
Best NBA Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Best WNBA Player: Breanna Stewart.
Best Boxer: Canelo Álvarez.
Best MMA Fighter: Daniel Cormier.
Best Male Golfer: Brooks Koepka.
Best Female Golfer: Brooke Henderson.
Best Male Tennis Player: Roger Federer.
Best Female Tennis Player: Serena Williams.
Best Male Action Sports Athlete: Nyjah Huston.
Best Female Action Sports Athlete: Chloe Kim.
Best Jockey: Mike Smith.
Best Male Athlete with a Disability: Mark Barr.
Best Female Athlete with a Disability: Allysa Seely.
Best Bowler: Norm Duke.
Best MLS Player: Zlatan Ibrahimović.
Best NWSL Player: Sam Kerr.
Best Esports Moment: Timothy “oLarry” Anselimo returns to NBA2k.
Best WWE Moment: Roman Reigns returns to WWE Raw.
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