The brash and bravado flair of the ESPYs gave way to moments of raw, genuine emotion on Wednesday night, as the annual sports awards show offered up a number of features that tugged on the heart strings.
Intermixed with the typical locker room humor bandied about in a ballroom full of the biggest names in sports was a father’s touching speech about his young daughter’s fight for her life; a mom and dad reflecting on their late 19-year-old daughter’s battle with cancer; a soldier who sacrificed for her country; a retrospective of the famous sports figures lost in the past year; and, of course, Caitlyn Jenner’s heartfelt speech promoting respect and acceptance.
Here are the five show-stopping moments that highlighted the human side of the sports world at the 2015 ESPY Awards:
DEVON STILL ACCEPTS JIMMY V. PERSEVERANCE AWARD FOR HIS 5-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER LEAH
CAITLYN JENNER SPEAKS AFTER RECEIVING ARTHUR ASHE AWARD FOR COURAGE
IN MEMORIAM: THE SPORTS STARS WE LOST THIS YEAR
LAUREN HILL’S PARENTS ACCEPT BEST MOMENT AWARD FOR LATE DAUGHTER
DANIELLE GREEN RECEIVES PAT TILLMAN AWARD FOR SERVICE
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