ESPYs stands for “Excellence in Sports Performance” and is an award ceremony honoring the top athletes and sports stars. The ESPYs are held annually at the end of June and the winners are determined through a series of voting rounds.
Dick Vitale cleared to speak at 2022 ESPYs
Dick Vitale is a long time ESPN college basketball color commentator. He is one of the greatest voices in sports. However, he was sidelined for most of the 2021-22 college basketball season because of a health scare. Now, he’s back to broadcasting and cleared to speak at next week’s ESPYs.
Throughout his career, Vitale has been a champion for pediatric cancer research. His foundation, the V Foundation, has funded over $300 million in cancer research. It also recently awarded $60 million in funding for pediatric research.
Vitale was diagnosed with lymphoma in October of last year and announced that he would undergo a series of surgeries to remove the tumors. Afterward, he announced that he was also suffering from precancerous dysplasia in his vocal cords.
During his fight against cancer, Vitale underwent multiple surgeries and chemotherapy treatments. In December, he announced that he was recovering and was able to return to work. However, he was warned by his doctor that he should restrict his use of his voice.
Vitale has been open about his battle with cancer. He has even documented his journey on social media. Ultimately, he beat his cancer and received a Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
As a result of his success, the V Foundation has created the Dick Vitale Fund for Pediatric Cancer. The organization will award $60 million for pediatric cancer research in 2022. You can donate to the fund by visiting www.v.org/pediatric-match.
Despite his recent struggles, Vitale will be able to honor his friend, the late Jim Valvano, at this year’s ESPYs. Valvano was one of Vitale’s broadcast partners.
Vitale will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYs. The award will be presented to him at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles on July 20.
Vitale will be recognized for his contributions to sports, as well as his advocacy for pediatric cancer research. In addition, he will be awarded with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
Earlier this month, ESPN announced that they would be airing a documentary about Vitale’s cancer-related battles. Known as “Dickie V,” the film will focus on his life as a basketball coach and his battles with cancer.
Arthur Ashe Courage Award
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the sports industry. It recognizes individuals who have made important contributions to the world, outside of their sports career.
In the past, the award has gone to Muhammad Ali, Bill Russell, and Nelson Mandela. This year, the winner is basketball player Kevin Love. He has spoken out about his anxiety, which has led to a nationwide discussion about dealing with mental health issues.
The ESPYs, held in July, celebrate the accomplishments of athletes across the globe. These awards are presented by the ESPN network, which is named for tennis great Arthur Ashe. During the ceremony, Oprah Winfrey hosts.
For the 2022 ESPY Awards, the venue is set to be at the Rooftop at Pier 17 at the Seaport in New York City. The ceremony will feature former heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko, who will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage.
Former basketball star Maya Moore will also receive the honor. Moore has a long history of athlete activism. She was the first woman to speak in front of the NFL’s Hall of Fame, and she was involved with criminal justice reform. Among her other notable accomplishments, she helped wrongfully imprisoned Jonathan Irons get out of jail last summer.
The ESPYs will air live on Wednesday, July 20, at 8pm Eastern. A special video will be shown on the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the event. Survivors of Larry Nassar’s abuses were also recognized at this year’s ESPYs.
Earlier this year, the Arthur Ashe Foundation launched an initiative called Win With Justice. Its social action campaign seeks to make a positive impact on the community. One of the main goals is to help people find ways to deal with mental health problems.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award was started in 1993. It’s given out annually to individuals who make important contributions to the world, beyond their sports careers. There are many recipients each year, and some of the biggest names include: Patrick Tillman, Billie Jean King, Muhammad Ali, and Caitlyn Jenner.
The award has been presented to a number of notable people, but there’s a special mention to be made of Jim Valvano, the first Arthur Ashe Courage Award recipient. Valvano received the award just weeks before he died of metastatic cancer. His acceptance speech included the creation of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Pat Tillman Award for Service
In honor of former NFL player Pat Tillman, the Pat Tillman Award for Service is an annual award given to a person who has demonstrated excellence in service to others. It is presented by the Pat Tillman Foundation and is named for the legacy of the fallen athlete.
One of the award’s honorees is Gretchen Evans. She is a retired US Army Command Sergeant Major who served in the US Army for 27 years. Evans founded a charity called Team UNBROKEN, which includes veterans with life-altering injuries and illnesses.
Another honoree is the founder of the nonprofit Pin Ups for Vets, Kirstie Ennis. In addition to being a former Marine Corps veteran, she is also a snowboarder, and was the first female amputee model for the nonprofit.
The Pat Tillman Award for Service is the first of its kind to be given to an individual who has exemplified the spirit of Pat Tillman. Tillman was a former football player, who became an Army Ranger after 9/11. During his time in the Army, he suffered a serious injury that nearly cost him his life. He was also the first professional football player to be killed in combat since 1970.
For her service to her country and the sport of football, Evan was presented with a prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service. Although she has received several awards, the Pat Tillman Award for Service is her most recent.
Despite her accomplishments, Evans had never walked across Britain. She did so with Prince Harry in 2015. Her nonprofit, America’s VetDogs, provides specially trained service dogs to people who have lost their limbs in the line of duty.
A little-known fact about the award is that it was actually given to a former Saginaw Valley State University grad. Gretchen Evans is a trustee of the institution, and has been recognized for her service to the college.
Not only is she the proud recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service, she is the author of a book. Where Men Win Glory: The Odyssey of Pat Tillman was published by Doubleday on September 15.
In addition to the Pat Tillman Award for Service, she was also honored with a prestigious award at the inaugural ESPY Awards.
Hosts
The ESPYs are the preeminent sports award show in the world. With millions of fans voting for their favorite athletes and performances, the ESPYs highlight the best of the year’s sports. Unlike the Grammy for music or the Oscar for film, the ESPYs focus on the individual.
During his time as an NBA player, Stephen Curry won four ESPY Awards. He is currently up for the Best Male Athlete award and the Best Record-Breaking Performance award.
In 2022, the ESPYs will be celebrating the best of sports, as well as highlighting the impact off the field. Golden State Warriors’ point guard Stephen Curry will host the upcoming show.
Throughout the years, the ESPYs have been hosted by a variety of famous athletes. Some athletes have hosted while still playing their sport, such as Michael Jackson, Peyton Manning, and Lance Armstrong. Others have had more of a career as an actor. Jamie Foxx, Seth Meyers, and Dennis Miller have all been hosts at one time or another.
In the future, the ESPYs will be taking place at a new venue, the Nokia Theatre, which is located adjacent to the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It is also expected that the ESPY Awards will be aired on ABC at 8PM ET.
The ESPYs are produced by Full Day Productions and ESPN. They are a yearly awards show that focuses on the top players, coaches, and sports moments of the year. Unlike other award shows, ESPYs are lighter and more relaxed. Rather than the usual self-referential comedic sketches, the ESPYs focus on the sport itself.
Previous hosts of the ESPYs include Samuel L. Jackson, Justin Timberlake, LeBron James, John Cena, and Peyton Manning.
As the ESPYs enter their 27th year, there are a lot of exciting rumors about the show. It has been announced that a few of the top sports stars are going to present awards. Other notable presenters are Odell Beckham Jr., Aaron Rodgers, Eileen Gu, and Katie Ledecky.
One of the most anticipated events of the year is the ESPYs, which will be broadcast on ABC at 8PM ET on Wednesday, July 20.
