ESPY Awards Presented Virtually

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Published on June 22 2020 6:27 am
Last Updated on June 22 2020 6:27 am

The ESPY awards were aired Sunday night, but ESPN's annual sports awards show was very different than previous years because of the pandemic.The ESPY awards were aired Sunday night, but ESPN's annual sports awards show was very different than previous years because of the pandemic.

The pre-produced show was all done virtually and there weren't individual and team awards for on-field performance, with the focus instead on the humanitarian and service awards.

It was hosted by NFL quarterback Russell Wilson, U. S. women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe and WNBA star Sue Bird from their homes. They wore Black Lives Matter T-shirts as they opened the show, and spoke about race, equality and the need for change. 

Arthur Ashe Award for Courage -- Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers, for working to end the stigma surrounding mental health.  Muhammad Ali Sports

Humanitarian Award -- Nelson Cruz of the Minnesota Twins, who has helped his hometown of Las Matas de Santa Cruz in the Dominican Republic build a police station, a medical clinic and get a fire truck, firefighting gear, and an ambulance.

Jimmy V Award for Perseverance -- Taquarius "TQ" Wair, who suffered burns all over his body in a fire as a four-year-old boy. He plays football at a Minnesota junior college, and wants to play at a four-year school and the NFL. 

Pat Tillman Award for Service -- Kim Clavel, who won the North American Boxing Federation female flyweight title last year. After her first main event bout in March was canceled because of the pandemic, Clavel, who had worked as a nurse before boxing, began working in care units in her native Montreal over the past three months. 

Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year -- Los Angeles Dodgers, whose foundation works to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice in the city.