Top moments from the ESPYS
If SNL happens to be looking for a new cast member, they’ve found one in Drake. The Canadian rapper hosted the 22nd annual ESPY Awards at LA Live’s Nokia Theatre, bringing quite a few laugh-at-loud moments. And with help from his pre-recorded sketches mocking Donald Sterling to Manny Pacquiao, and Blake Griffin, aka ‘Drake Griffin’, lets just say he knocked his ESPYs gig out of the park.
We were a little bit surprised when we heard that Drake would be hosting the show, but as an avid sports fan and showman, he quickly showed fans, he was a natural for the stage.
While, the evening was filled with mostly laughs and cheers, there were some heartrending, emotional speeches from St. Louis Rams rookie, Michael Smith, and ESPN personality Stuart Scott, who has been battling cancer for the past seven years.
We’ve decided to share the top 5 most memorable moments of the night:
1) Lance Cam
Drake wasted no time getting down to the nitty gritty as he opened the ceremony. According to him he knows the real reason Lance Stephenson blew into Lebron James’s ear during an Eastern Conference Finals game back in May, “you only blow into the ear of someone that you truly and deeply respect” he said. So Drake decided to show Stephenson just how much he truly and deeply respected him, by blowing right into his ear on live television. That was definitely a smooth move to end any type of feud between the two NBA stars.
2) A Hero’s legacy
The inaugural Pat Tillman Award was awarded to Purple Heart recipient Sgt. Josh Sweeney. The Paralympic gold medalist received the award in honor of his work for helping other disabled veterans use sports to recover. The San Antonio Rampage Sled Hockey player who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan in October 2009, scored the game winning-goal during the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi, giving the US Paralympic Sled Hockey Team a 1-0 win over Russia in the gold medal game. The veteran gave a short but sweet speech as he humbly accepted the award. “I’m extremely honored and just grateful to receive this award”… “Lastly, the individuals that do pay the ultimate price, so that we can live in freedom, individuals like Pat Tillman and Cody Stanley”.
3) Sidepieces and Honorable Mentions
Boy did Drake really have some tricks up his sleeve with his so-called new songs. The rapper, put a twist onto his hit single “Hold On We’re Going Home” and named it “Honorable Mention” as a tribute to all the runner-ups and 2nd place winners in sports competitions. He busted out with instant shade towards Macklemore, who robbed him of four Grammy’s at this years award show. “ K.D. I know you understand, real talent doesn’t always win championships like real music doesn’t always win Grammy’s.” If the cheeky lyrics weren’t enough to make you cringe in your seat, the rapper tagged on a huge photo of Macklemore in the background to really turn things up.
Drake quickly recovered from his awkward jabs at everyone from Lebron James, Danica Patrick and Dan Marino, as he followed up with a song labeled “Side Pieces” featuring R&B singer Brian McKnight, that paid tribute to all the groupies and side chicks of pro athletes. “This is a song about the real glue that holds the sports world together… I call this side pieces” Drake continued on as he belted out hysterically comedic lyrics from the fake record. “I know that you’re watching this alone, I can’t wait to see you on the road, cheering from the shadows, I hear you calling out, wifey sees a text and asks what’s this all about. I tell her you’re just a friend, a lot of these guys are dying for this song to end…” Ok, so it might be hard to get the gist of everything in writing, but the fake hit single had the audience rolling on their backs in laughter.
4) Michael Sam’s emotional speech
Shortly after Michael Sam was drafted by the Rams in the 2014 NFL draft, becoming the first openly-gay player on an NFL team, we learned the defensive end would be honored at the ESPYs with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Sam walked to the stage as fans stood up to applaud the athlete, before he gave an emotional and teary speech.
“This year I had a lot of experience being a part of something bigger than myself” Sam said. “At times I felt like I was a part of a massive storm.” Sam proceeded to quote Ashe in three simple sentences. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” “Those are words to live by, whether you’re black or white, young or old, straight or gay.”
Sam then went on to share a touching story of a friend’s sister who considered suicide over telling her family of her sexual orientation. “When we spoke she told me she would never consider hurting herself again and that somehow my example helped her.” Sam said, fighting back tears. “It’s amazing to think that by doing just what we can, we can all touch, change and even save lives.”
Sam’s speech was one of the most inspiring speeches in ESPY history, and we can’t wait to see more of what this courageous athlete can do in the future.
5) Stuart Scott
Another emotional and poignant speech was ESPN news anchor Stuart Scott’s, who’s been battling cancer for seven years. He accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award, which is named after former N.C. State basketball coach Jim Valvano, who died from cancer in 1993. Scott encouraged people to fight like hell as he accepted the award. “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live and the manner in which you live. So live. And fight like hell.”
Valvano himself, just two months before his passing, gave one of the most inspiring speeches to date in his honor, leading to the creation of the V Foundation for Cancer Research. During Scott’s speech, he admitted just last week he wasn’t sure if he would be able to make it to the show after having four surgeries in a span of 7 days. He attributed his continuous fight to push through to his doctors and people closest to him. “I couldn’t fight, but doctors and nurses could, people that I love, my friends and family, they could fight.” Scott said. “This fight, this whole journey thing is not a solo venture. Its something that requires support.” …“Fight like hell and when you get too tired to fight then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you.”
He finished out his speech by mentioning his two daughters, inviting his youngest Sydni to the stage as he received a standing ovation from the crowd.
“I can’t ever give up, because I can’t leave my daughters. Yes sometimes I embarrass them, sometimes they think I’m a tyrant, but Taylor and Sydni I love you guys more than I will ever be able to express. You two are my heartbeat. I am standing on this stage here tonight because of you”
Grey Goose sponsored the show’s official after-party, where guests enjoyed specialty GREY GOOSE Le Melon cocktails.
-Jasmine Burch
