The highly anticipated ESPYs aired live on Wednesday night, and this time around on ABC.
Hosted by Joel McHale, the best athletes in the world all gathered under one roof in Los Angeles to bask in the glory of one heck of a year. While there were a number of heartfelt speeches and well-deserved wins, we have rounded up our top moments at the 2015 ESPYs. See below.
- Caitlyn Jenner wowed audience when she mad her first television appearance. In an Atelier Versace cream gown, Jenner accepted the ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Introduced as “courageous and stunning” by U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team star Abby Wambach, Jenner mesmerized audience members with a stunning vintage emerald earclips an Art Deco sapphire and diamond bracelet as well as a heartfelt speech.
“My plea for you tonight is … join me in making this one of your issues as well,” she said. “If you want to call me names, make jokes and doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is I can take it. But for thousands of kids out there coming to terms with the reality of who they are, they shouldn’t have to take it.”
- Stephen Curry is having one hell of a year. Not only did he recently welcome a healthy baby girl by the name of Ryan, but also he brought his city its first championship in 40 years. In addition, he was crowned the Best NBA Player as well as the Best Male Athlete.
The Best Male Athlete award was presented to him by Jake Gyllenhal. Curry said, “Oh man, I’m shaking. I want to thank first and foremost God for allowing me to be healthy to play the game that I love, my family for supporting me day in and day out. My wife who’s not here with us. We have 5-day-old daughter and she’s at home right now. I want to thank you for all you do for me. And my teammates, this is not possible without you and all the hard work we put in to it all year.”
- While LeBron James did not win a ring this year, he was still awarded with the Best Championship Performance.
“Second place got me this—it wasn’t expected at all,” James said.
- Following another Serena Slam at the Wimbledon, Serena Williams took home the Best Female Tennis Player award.
- The U.S. women’s national soccer team continued its World Cup celebration by taking home the Best Team award.
“You guys believed in us the entire seven games, since four years ago when we fell short to 10 days ago when we won it,” Wambach said. “We lifted the trophy. We did this for American and our fans. You guys are the best. We love you so much.”
(Featured photo via Instagram)
