Source: Kevin Winter / Getty
Another year, another ESPYs in the books. Retired NFL Legend Peyton Manning took on hosting duties and killed it. Manning no longer had a dog in the sports race, which led to him dropping some painfully honest jokes about the New York Knicks, Kevin Durant, and how salty he was about Tom Brady’s comeback Super Bowl win.
In cased you missed the awards or simply want to relive the show, check up some of the best moments.
Peyton Manning Takes Shots At Kevin Durant
https://twitter.com/SInow/status/885291554105118720
Who knew Peyton had the jokes like that?
In his opening monologue, Manning took a shot at Kevin Durant taking his talents to The Bay Area and taking up refuge with Steph Curry’s Warriors to eventually win a championship ring. Manning mentioned a gymnastic team so good and dominant that Durant would uproot his life and play for them next season. Of course the camera panned to a stone faced Durant for damn near 10 seconds. Manning brought the joke home by asking Russell Westbrook what he thought. Brodie did his very best to hide that smirk.
Jarrius Robertson Receives Jimmy Award For Perseverance
“Never give up” was something storied Coach Valvano always said and believed in. And everyone presented with the Jimmy V award lives that mantra as well, including young Jarrius Robinson. The 14 year old has been battling biliary atresia, a liver disease that limits his growth. The disease led to him having a liver transplant at just one year old and being in a coma for close to a year due to complications. While still not completely out of the woods, JJ seizes everyday as if it could be his last. His fandom has been on full display over the past year with appearances at New Orleans Saints games, NBA All-Star Weekend and WWE matches. After being presented with the Perseverance Award by John Cena, JJ opened up about how special the best few years have been for him and his family. Oh, and peep that fire suit jacket.
Israel Del Toro Humbled By Pat Tillman Award For Service
Journalism legend Bob Woodruff told the inspiring story of Air Force Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro, who won the Pat Tillman Award for Service. Over 80 percent of Del Toro’s body was burned when his Humvee rolled over a bomb in Afghanistan. Doctors gave him a 15 percent chance of survival. He lived. Doctors said he’d never walk again. Now he’s powerlifting at the Invictus games and even re-enlisted in the Air Force. Jon Stewart presented Del Toro with the award, but for him his accomplishments were all in a day’s work. “Thank you for letting this guy who just had a bad day at work feel like someone special tonight,” he said during his speech.
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Posthumously Honored With Arthur Ashe Award For Courage
After taking a much-needed break from eight years of FLOTUS duty, Michelle Obama is back. She took the stage to present and narrate a video posthumously praising Eunice Kennedy Shriver. The sister of President John F. Kennedy and founder of the Special Olympics paved way for differently abled athletes to compete and thrive. It all started with her family’s acceptance of her differently abled sister Rosemary, the lack of summer camps available for those with special needs, and a purpose. What began as Camp Shriver in her Maryland backyard with some funding and Kennedy’s hard work turned into the Special Olympics. She changed the world through sports and for that she deserves the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
Julian Edelman
Getting props for one of the most legendary wins in NFL history wasn’t enough for Julian Edelman, who had to joke about Manning one last time. While the New England Patriots accepted the award for Best Game, Edelman said, “You know, I never thought I’d say this, but Peyton Manning’s kinda killing it.” He dug even further, as he smirked and said,”We are indoors, though.”
That was cold.
