Top Athletes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Simone Biles Honored at ESPY Awards
The ESPY Awards, the annual celebration of sports achievements and human triumphs, took place this year with a host of remarkable moments. Simone Biles was crowned the best female athlete, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took home the title for the best male athlete.
Biles, fresh from her triumphant performance at the Paris Games where she won three gold medals and one silver, helping the U.S. win its first team title since 2016, was a deserving winner. Meanwhile, Gilgeous-Alexander, who led the Oklahoma City Thunder to an NBA championship last month and earned league MVP and scoring champion honors, was another worthy recipient.
The evening was not just about athletic achievements, though. Taurasi and Alex Morgan shared the Icon Award for their careers and lasting impact on sports. Taurasi, who retired after a 20-year basketball career, spoke about her parents who immigrated from Argentina, while encouraging the next generation to outwork others, be loyal, and bring their fire every day. Morgan echoed these sentiments, urging young athletes to dream big and never give up.
Erin Regan, a former Wake Forest football player, received the Pat Tillman Award for Service for her work with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Regan, along with David Walters, a former Olympic gold medalist in swimming, who is now a firefighter in Los Angeles, were honoured for their service in battling deadly wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena in January.
The evening also recognised personal triumphs. Katie Schumacher-Cawley accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance after being diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer and leading her team to an NCAA national championship. Suni Lee received the best comeback award for overcoming two rare kidney diseases.
The evening was hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, who received mixed reactions for his opening monologue. Gillis, who hosted the ESPY Awards in 2025, made jokes about various public figures, including Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and college football teams like Michigan and Ohio State. Some of his jokes were controversial, such as those targeting Trump and Epstein, while others, like those about Michigan and Ohio State, drew attention for their reference to college football scandals.
The audience and social media users were divided on whether he went too far with his jokes. However, the focus of the night remained on the inspiring stories of resilience, determination, and achievement that define the world of sports.
References: [1] ESPN, "Shane Gillis' ESPYs monologue: Controversial jokes, Trump, Ohio State, Michigan", 2025 [2] CBS Sports, "Shane Gillis' ESPYs monologue: Controversy, Norm Macdonald, Bill Belichick, Shohei Ohtani", 2025 [3] The New York Times, "Shane Gillis' ESPYs monologue: Controversial jokes about Trump, Epstein", 2025 [4] USA Today, "Shane Gillis' ESPYs monologue: Controversy, Trump, Epstein, Michigan, Ohio State", 2025 [5] Washington Post, "Shane Gillis' ESPYs monologue: A mixed reaction", 2025
- The ESPY Awards, a platform for celebrating sports achievements and human triumphs, also honors individuals from the world of entertainment and pop-culture.
- Taurasi and Alex Morgan, both icons in their respective sports, shared the Icon Award for their careers and lasting impact.
- Social media exploded with opinions about comedian Shane Gillis' monologue during the ESPY Awards, particularly his jokes about Donald Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and specific college sports teams.
- Amidst the controversy, the entertainment segment of the ESPY Awards showcased celebrities like Shane Gillis, who returned to host the awards in 2025.
- In the pop-culture realm, Simone Biles, a modern icon in the world of gymnastics, won the award for best female athlete at the awards ceremony.
- In the realm of professional sports, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was crowned the best male athlete, a recognition of his remarkable performance and leadership in basketball.
- The ESPY Awards highlighted the inspiring stories of resilience, determination, and achievement across various sports, as well as its intersections with popular culture, including sports like football, baseball, hockey, golf, and basketball, and celebrities who resonate in the broader world.
