TRENDING

 

Amongst all the big names, we spotted some of our favorite athletes, including Mo’ne Davis (who’s getting her own Disney Channel movie) and the newly crowned world champs, the U.S. women’s soccer team. Miss the show? We’ve got you covered with the highlights. 

Leah and Devon Still

One of the most moving moments of the night was when Leah Still won the Jimmy V Perseverance Award. Daughter of Cincinnati Bengals player Devon Still, five-year-old Leah is currently undergoing chemotherapy to fight Stage IV neuroblastoma, a rare type of cancer found in children, and though she was too sick to make it to the ceremony, her dad accepted the award on her behalf. Together, the two have been an inspiration to families all across the country helping their children fight cancer—and so have the Bengals, the team who have supported them. Back in 2014, after Leah was diagnosed, her dad Devon was also cut from the Bengals line up. But after hearing about Leah's illness, the team decided to keep Devon on the practice squad so he could keep his insurance to care for Leah's treatment. Though Leah didn't take the stage, she did record a special video to thank everyone for their support, and officially melted our hearts.

Mo’ne Davis

You may not recognize Mo’ne Davis without a glove in her hand or a foot on the pitcher's mound, but this fourteen-year-old baseball star glammed it up to accept her award last night. As only one of two girls to play in the 2014 Little League World Series, the first girl to win and pitch a shut out at the World Series, the first African-American girl to even play in the World Series and the first Little League player to make the cover of Sports Illustrated, Mo'ne was more than deserving of her Best Breakthrough Athlete Award. We couldn't imagine any athlete more worthy of the title, and we're so glad to see Mo'ne honored for all her hard work. How's that for inspo when it comes to finally taking on sports team try-outs this school year? 

Caitlyn Jenner

In her first public appearance since fully transitioning to living as a woman, Caitlyn Jenner was proud to accept her Arthur Ashe Courage Award for her recent life changes. Though the Olympian kept things light with a joke about trying to find the perfect outfit for the night, Caitlyn also made sure to use her voice to spread a very important message: please respect and accept transgender people. On stage, she shared the stories of the tragic deaths of trans teens Mercedes Williamson and Sam Taub—and it's worth noting that, according to a GLAAD report from 2012 and a UCLA survey from 2014, trans individuals are 28% more likely to experience physical violence and 36% more likely to attempt suicide than gender normative individuals—and thanked all of the transgender trailblazers who have come before her. We know we weren't the only ones moved by Caitlyn's speech, message and courage, and we're so glad she used her opportunity to speak for so many trans individuals who aren't heard.

U.S. Soccer Women's National Team

Just a week after they won the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, the U.S. soccer women's national team looked fierce as ever accepting their Best Team Award. Up against fellow nominees and championship winners the Golden State Warriors (who won the 2015 NBA Championships) and the Chicago Blackhawks (who won the 2015 Stanley Cup), Abby Wambach and the rest of her team's win must've been the cherry on top of an amazing season. We know these ladies definitely earned it, and it's so awesome to see them getting all the love and respect they're due (although which is better, joining Taylor Swift on stage at one of her concerts—which they totally did, and it was awesome—or taking the stage at the ESPYs, we're not sure).

Did you tune in to last night's ESPY awards? What was your favorite moment? Tell us about your favorite athlete in the comments below. 

Photos credit to: ESPYS, U.S. Soccer Women's National Team

by Kelsie Ahern | 2/1/2016