The ESPY’s continue to wow us, but not for the obvious reasons. Why this night in the sports world has become so special has nothing to do with professional athletes playing sports and everything to do with one word: INSPIRATION. ESPN’s award show has found a way to make inspiration catch our attention and surface our emotions.
At the one event of the year that Hollywood celebrities and professional athletes come together, you would expect that both the emphasis and the spotlight be on the hundreds of stars in attendance. However, in the recent years, we’ve seen the exact opposite. The real significance of the ESPY’s is coming from life stories of individuals associated with sports, and the way their experiences, actions, and words are leaving an unparalleled impact on all of us.
As sports fans, we agree that there is nothing better than Lebron throwing down on the fast break or witnessing Steph Curry dance in and out of defenders then step back and drain a three. But the reality is, them winning an award doesn’t nearly have the same meaning that an emotional and inspirational story does.
It started with Jim Valvano, better known as Jimmy V, who had metastatic cancer. Jim received the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award for his fight against cancer and touched people all around the world with his speech at the 1993 ESPY’s, which he died 8 weeks after. He famously quoted “Don’t give up…Don’t ever give up.” This was just the beginning.
ESPN’s own Stuart Scott magnified inspiration within the ESPY’s to an entirely new level last year. Anybody who knew sports knew Stuart and loved him. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, and received the 2014 Jimmy V Award for his battle. The speech Stuart gave served as just another example displaying the way he had changed the sports industry forever. Referencing the words of Jimmy V, Stuart also left us with a quote that would inspire us forever. He said, “When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.”
The audience actually listens. People genuinely care about this type of story. It is safe to say experiences like Jimmy V’s or Stuarts’ are far, far bigger than sports.
Now, instead of a professional athlete award show, we have a night that puts some perspective into the minds of people all around the world.
This summers ESPY’s gave us a handful of these experiences and speeches, as well.
Lauren Hill (who suffered from terminal brain cancer but still entered into a collegiate basketball game and scored) inspired us to believe that no matter your condition, both your moment and your dream can come true.
Leah Still (who at age four began fighting a rare form of pediatric cancer) inspired us to believe that no matter how big you are or how old you are, it is the fight on the inside that can help you battle through anything.
And of course Caitlyn Jenner (who is now the most famous openly transgender person in the world) inspired us to believe that everyone can be themselves and be comfortable in their own skin.
By no means did they fail to inspire.
By all means they have made a difference.
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