The best moments from the 2022 ESPYs

The 2022 ESPYs, hosted by Stephen Curry, brought together many memorable moments, from subtle and not-so-subtle roasts to powerful messages that are bigger than sports; here are some of the best moments from this year's ESPYs. 

Steph Curry’s opening monologue

The opening monologue of any show sets the stage for what to expect; if it’s not funny, things can go south quickly. Fortunately for Curry, his opening monologue balanced prideful moments and comical roasts.

Curry was sure to acknowledge the home base of this year’s award show: Los Angeles, by praising the LA Rams and dissing the LA Lakers. He even threw some shade at the Boston Celtics — seems fair to say they aren’t popular in LA? Wearing a pale green suit and a drink in hand, Curry nailed the comedic timing on all his jokes. He even took a minute to relish his successes from his most recent NBA season. Too bad it might be overshadowed by Draymond Green’s podcast, something he mentioned he’s already familiar with. 

Support for Brittney Griner

While the ESPYs is usually all about the laughs, a handful of athletes took the time to shed light on Britney Griner’s wrongful detainment in Russia. As Curry announced the WNBA as the Sports Humanitarian League of the Year, he, along with WNBA players Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, acknowledged Griner should also be at the award show, celebrating along with the rest of the world’s best athletes. The three athletes on stage shared that the global sports world must keep sharing Griner’s story. They ended the monologue with the words, “We are BG.” 

After winning Best Play for her corner kick goal during the 2020 Summer Olympics, Megan Rapinoe also used her acceptance speech to call on athletes to continuously show their support for Griner on social media and in interviews. Rapinoe added that the global sports world loves and misses Griner, and is doing all they can for her release.  

Title IX 50th anniversary tribute

Tennis legend Billie Jean King led a powerful tribute to the 50th anniversary of Title IX, the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools. Country music artist Mickey Guyton sang her song What Are You Going to Tell Her? In the middle of her performance, multiple women’s athletes took the stage to deliver a powerful message in support of fundamental human rights. 

Dick Vitale’s emotional speech

Of the awards presented at the ESPYs, there are some that carry a deeper and more significant meaning. The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance is awarded to a member of the sports world who has overcome obstacles through perseverance. The winner of this year’s award was “Dickie V,” or Dick Vitale, who is best known as ESPN’s college basketball commentator. Vitale was diagnosed with melanoma and lymphoma in 2021 and stopped calling games in January of this year.

During his 20-minute acceptance speech, Vitale shared the story of his early days with ESPN. He reminisced on fond memories with his friend, Jim Valvano, including the first ESPYs and Valvano’s lively celebration after winning the men’s basketball NCAA D1 Championship.

Vitale also took the time to share his struggles with cancer in the hospital. Closing his speech, he asked the audience to stand if they or someone they knew had cancer. The whole room stood. While Vitale’s speech was on the longer side, it was the most powerful speech of the night. 

The Draymond Green Show interrupts

Just as Curry is set to announce the next presenters of the award show, the audience and viewers learn Green is hosting his podcast live from the ESPYs with actor Lil Rel Howery.

As Curry leaves to find security, Howery cheers for all the Olympians in the audience, specifically American snowboarder Chloe Kim. He expresses her destiny as a star since she’s named after two Kardashians, but warns her to stay away from any Tristans. You may need some sunglasses for that shade. Curry returns with security, and Green mentions it wouldn’t be the first time he was kicked out on a big stage. 

Notable winners

While all winners deserve to be recognized, here are a few that deserve some extra special attention. 

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award went to Vitali Klitschko, a Hall of Fame boxer and the current mayor of Kyiv, Ukraine. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he took up arms to protect his country. 

The Pat Tillman Award for Service was awarded to Gretchen Evans, an American veteran who suffered a traumatic brain injury, PTSD and went deaf. She now has become an avid supporter of the Veterans Advocacy Movement. 

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols won the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for his Pujols Family Foundation, which supports the impoverished in his native country, the Dominican Republic and aids those living with down syndrome.