July is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time for the ESPYs. ESPN’s fan-voted awards show honors current and former athletes who are making active contributions to the world of sports through their play, training and service. And when they air this year on July 11, we’ll see three major sports figures receive historic ESPY Awards.
ESPN announced Thursday that Prince Harry, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley and former NFL player and ALS activist Steve Gleason will receive the highest service awards they can give.
Immediately, one name stands out. Prince Harry? That red-haired British royal who married a former actress and dramatically left his role in the royal family for a less intense life in the United States? His connection to sports is not obvious, but through his previous service in the British Armed Forces, he set up a charity, the Invictus Games Foundation, to support wounded, injured and ill military personnel (both active duty and veterans). Worldwide. The Invictus Games Foundation uses sports to help these people overcome both physical and invisible injuries.
For his creation and service to the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, will receive the Pat Tillman Service Award, an award given to an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that reflects the legacy of former NFL player and US Army Ranger Pat Tillman.
The awards for Staley and Gleason are much more obvious, though no less important.
Staley and her Gamecock women’s team just completed a perfect 38-0 season that concluded with victory in the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. She has advocated for diversity and gender equality in sports, as well as a greater acceptance of women’s sports and women *in* sports. Off the court, she has been a huge advocate for cancer screening, especially in the black community, since several people in her life were diagnosed with cancer. Staley will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Gleason, a former NFL safety who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for his courageous fight against ALS and his tireless advocacy for those affected by the disease. Gleason has fought for continued research into this (currently) incurable condition, lobbied Congress to make vital communication devices available to ALS patients in the US, and, through His nonprofit, Team Gleason, helps empower ALS patients to live lives of purpose by providing them with wide-ranging information. Programming and support services.
Here are the complete ESPY nominations. Voting is open until 5 pm ET on July 11.
Best athlete, men’s sports.
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels/Dodgers
Scottie Scheffler, Golf
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Best athlete, women’s sports.
Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball
Coco Gauff, Tennis
Nelly Korda, Golf
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Best revelation athlete
Haleigh Bryant, LSU gymnastics
CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
Juju Watkins, USC Women’s Basketball Team
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Best record performance
Haleigh Bryant, LSU gymnastics
CJ Stroud, Houston Texans
Juju Watkins, USC women’s basketball team
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Best performance in the championship
Michigan’s Blake Corum and Will Johnson at the football championship
Boston College’s Kayla Martello, Most Outstanding Player in Women’s Lacrosse Tournament
NJ/NY Gotham FC’s Midge Purce named NWSL Championship MVP
Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, MVP of the NBA Finals
Best Comeback Athlete
Simone Biles, Gymnastics
Paige Bueckers, UConn women’s basketball team
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans