(ThyBlackMan.com) The 2018 ESPY Awards was another gathering of the world’s best athletes being honored in front of their peers and competitors. There was history made as former professional race car driver Danica Patrick became the first female host in ESPY Awards history. The 2018 ESPY Awards also included one of the more emotional moments of the show’s history when several survivors of imprisoned sexual assaulter Larry Nassar joined the stage after receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. It was a reminder of how painful and prevalent sexual assault and sexual abuse can be in various aspects of life including sports.
Every single year there are powerful and awe-inducing speeches delivered at the ESPY Awards whether it was Jim Valvano’s memorable speech about life and fighting cancer or when NBA All-Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony took the stage to plead for fellow athletes to continue the fight for social justice. It is important for people and not just sports fans to remember some of the more inspiring speeches delivered on the ESPYs as they can apply to life beyond athletics.
Former ESPN broadcaster Stuart Scott was a truly a trendsetter for many black professional sportscasters. He was unapologetic in his ability to deliver entertaining highlights on SportsCenter and many of his references brought a unique flair to even the most boring sports highlights. Prior to his passing, Scott had a lengthy and public battle with cancer that he acknowledged was extremely challenging.
In 2014, Scott won the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for his fight and determination against a rare form of cancer. During his acceptance speech, Scott said, “When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live. So live. Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight, lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you.” Scott passed away in 2015 but his speech was a reminder of how special life is, the challenges of life, and the importance of family members and loved ones during life.
In 2013, television broadcaster Robin Roberts received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs. She has faced two different significant health challenges including in 2007, when she faced breast cancer, and in 2012, when she was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a disease that came as a side effect from her cancer treatment. She recovered from a bone marrow transplant and delivered a speech that highlighted her humility and thoughtfulness. Roberts said, “I’ve been blessed to achieve things in life I could never have imagined as that little girl growing up in Mississippi. But most of all, I never imagined that I’d be able to be standing here 20 years after Jimmy V’s speech and say that because of everyone who has responded to his challenge, because of all the donations, research and support, mine is one of the lives that’s been saved.”
It is noteworthy that many of the best speeches during the ESPY Awards have been by cancer survivors. It is understood that while winning trophies and championships are nice, there is a different perspective when it comes to facing a life-threatening condition. Words can inspire, uplift, and provide the right perspective to how precious life truly is.
Staff Writer; Mark Hines