The ESPYS are known for showcasing the achievements of inspiring and courageous athletes who embody the spirit of the show through three pillar awards — the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and The Pat Tillman Award for Service — and this year will be no different.
Today (June 28) ESPN shared that The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, Liam Hendriks will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and the Buffalo Bills training staff will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service during The 2023 ESPYS airing LIVE on ABC this July.
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) will be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for their resilient fight for equal pay off the field. The award is given to a deserving member or group in the sporting world who makes a difference far beyond the field of play, impacting the world in indelible ways. Past recipients of the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage include Muhammad Ali (1997), Billie Jean King (1999), former president Nelson Mandela (2009), Caitlyn Jenner (2015), Bill Russell (2019), and Vitali Klitschko (2022).
Chicago White Sox pitcher and cancer survivor Liam Hendriks will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, a symbol of his strength and resilience in his fight against non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In Hendriks’ first game back on the mound this May, he threw 16 strikes against the Los Angeles Angels, bringing the crowd to their feet for a standing ovation as he walked back to the dugout. Past recipients of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance include Dick Vitale (2022), Chris Nikic (2021), Craig Sager (2016), and Stuart Scott (2014).
After Damar Hamlin’s collapse on the field shook the world last January, the Buffalo Bills training staff exemplified mental toughness and immediately performed live-saving measures. In recognition of their commitment to every member of the team, the Bills training staff will be awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service presented by MassMutual, an award given to a group with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman. Past recipients of the Pat Tillman Award for Service include Gretchen Evans (2022), Kim Clavel (2020), and Jake Wood (2019).
The exciting news follows last week’s big reveal of this year’s nominees where stars like Nikola Jokić, Patrick Mahomes, A’ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese racked in the most nods, while LeBron James, Wyndham Clark, Aaron Judge, Lionel Messi and Mikaela Shiffrin are up for some notable awards in top categories. You can view the full list here and vote for your favorites here.
The 2022 ESPYS will air LIVE from Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 12th @ 8PM ET/PT on ABC with more details regarding hosts and special guests will be revealed at a later date.
