Stop Taking An ESPY Award So Seriously | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Sports

Stop Taking An ESPY Award So Seriously

Since when did an ESPY award become such a big deal?

8
Stop Taking An ESPY Award So Seriously
abcnews.com

If you’ve been anywhere near Facebook in the past week or so, you’re sure to have read someone’s opinion regarding Caitlyn Jenner. Many of these opinions have sparked heated debates across the incredibly ignorant world we call Facebook comments. People have seem to have given this ESPY award a lot of power this year. If ESPN, the world’s almighty sports network, named Caitlyn Jenner the most courageous person of the year, she must truly be the most courageous person!

She received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her battle with gender dysphoria and, more specifically, her public transition into life as a woman. Her courage is evident and inspiring to many dealing with the same struggle in their own lives. It came as a shock for many Americans (although the winner was announced weeks prior to the event) who have known Bruce Jenner as one of the greatest American Olympians ever, or for his television show with the Kardashians.

An ESPY award does not make her more courageous than the war veteran who lost both legs for his country. The Courage Award does not discredit Leah Still’s battle with cancer. It doesn’t mean anyone is more or less “courageous” than the other. The core problem with the award is that there should be no winner. There should be multiple individuals recognized for their own courageous battles in their own situations.

Say Jenner wasn’t involved at all. If Leah Still won the award, would people be up in arms about a little girl who beat out a wounded war vet? The point is, people need to relax. ESPN is trying their best to reel in viewers who aren’t everyday sports fans. They do this with events like the ESPYs. Throw down a red carpet, and let loose the celebrities! Give the award to a well-known figure outside of mainstream sports. They use emotional stories to capture audiences not normally reached by their programming. And it works. The ESPYs was one giant waterworks display for viewers — me included. Watching the story of Devon Still and his daughter battling her cancer together was absolutely heartbreaking. The Leah Hill story and the speech by her parents was beautifully inspiring and relatable to parents everywhere. Jenner’s speech was uplifting and will likely have a massive impact on trans equality globally.

What I’m getting at is this: an ESPY award doesn’t change the importance of any one story. They’re all incredible and moving. Get over it. Jenner being selected for this award doesn’t make her the supreme courage winner for all things courage. It’s an ESPY. She didn't win a Nobel Peace Prize.

The ESPYs is a wonderful cause that raises millions in cancer research through the Jimmy V Foundation each year. The individual awards themselves are insanely ambiguous and likely mean very little to most athletes. LeBron James won the award for Best Championship Performance. His reaction was predictable. He lost in the finals. He reacted the way he likely would have if he had won Finals MVP. He didn’t want either award. (Although he surely deserved both.)

Before you get on Facebook and look to start an argument for something as ambiguous as courage, think about what you’re doing. Your opinion, no matter how well-informed, does not hold superiority over someone else’s opinion. That’s why they’re called opinions and not facts. Every one defines courage in their own way and every single contestant for that award was no doubt courageous beyond measure. Courage is an umbrella that encompasses many different battles with many types of varying hardship.

Let’s stop bickering about who was more courageous and recognize them all for their own individual battles. They all deserve it.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Kent State University
Great Value Colleges

If you go to or went to Kent State, then more than likely you have done or will do some of these things.

1. You’ve slipped and fallen on the ice at least once.

The winters at Kent are brutal, and while the heated sidewalks and some great snow boots are always a help, there’s no chance you won’t bust it on the ice at least once in your four plus years at school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

5 Reasons Why Finals Week Is The Worst For People Who Love Christmas

Christmas is on the brain during the month of December, not finals! How do you expect me to study?

44
santa claus with red background
Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

Christmas is literally so close. We can almost taste it. But there is just one thing standing between you and the big day: FINALS. It's not the studying, lack of sleep, last minute cram sessions or crappy food intake that is the worst... but the fact that you cannot focus because, well, CHRISTMAS. How do professors expect you to focus when Christmas is soooo soon. For all my fellow Christmas lovers out there, I feel your pain.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Library Struggles Every College Student Will Understand

Are you really a college student if you don't stay up all night studying in your pajamas?

585
sleeping in the library
Daily Fun Lists

One of the most dreaded places on campus is the library. Nothing awesome ever happens here. Usually, the only reason you're here is because you've procrastinated so long that the library is the only place you'll actually get stuff done. It gives you this feeling of sadness and impending doom. You have no idea how this is going to go or how long you'll be here, but you do know it is about to be the most excruciating experiences yet. But it has to get done, so you drag yourself to the lovely library.

Keep Reading...Show less
Illistrated image of colorful balloons and fireworks
StableDiffusion

With each new year comes new goals.

Deciding on a goal can be hard, unsure of what to change for this new year. A new goal for myself is to be happier and take care of myself more. I am a very driven person; so driven that I commit to a million and ten things.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Pros And Cons Of Having A Birthday Near The Holidays

The truth of what it is like having a birthday around the holiday season.

3980
Christmas decoration
Flickr

It's the most wonderful time of the year!! But for some people, including myself and my Dad, it can have its ups and downs when it comes to having a birthday near and around the holiday season. I personally share a birthday with my Dad two days before Christmas. Yes, Christmas Eve Eve is our birthday. Here are a few pros and cons for having a birthday near the holidays.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments