Former NFL great Peyton Manning hosted the 2017 ESPY awards where the greatest athletes of the year are celebrated for their achievements. I was surprised that the Warriors beat the Patriots for “Best Team” considering the Pats *coughCheaterscough* huge Super Bowl upset. Other than that win, every other award seemed well deserved to me! My favorite champions are obviously Serena Williams and Dak Prescott and I’m happy their awards were properly distributed.
Final list of winners:
- Best Male Athlete: Russell Westbrook – Oklahoma City Thunder
- Best Female Athlete: Simone Biles – United States Olympic Gymnastics
- Best Team: Golden State Warriors
- Best Play: Aaron Rodgers’ Connection with Jared Cook against Dallas Cowboys
- Best Championship Performance: Kevin Durant – Golden State Warriors
- Best Breakthrough Athlete: Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys
- Best Record-Breaking Performance: Michael Phelps 28 career olympic medals – United States Olympic Swimming
- Best Upset: Mississippi State win over Connecticut – NCAA Women’s Basketball
- Best Game: New England Patriots win over Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI
- Best Moment: Chicago Cubs win 2016 World Series
- Best NFL Player: Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers
- Best Female US Olympic Athlete: Simone Biles – Gymnastics
- Best Coach: Bob Hurley Sr. – St. Anthony High School
- Best WNBA Player: Candace Parker – Los Angeles Sparks
- Best Male College Athlete: Deshaun Watson – Clemson
- Best Female College Athlete: Kelly Barnhill – Florida
- Best Male Action Sports Athlete: Mark McMorris – Snowboarding
- Best Female Action Sports Athlete: Anna Gasser – Snowboarding
- Best Male US Olympic Athlete: Michael Phelps – Swimming
- Best Male Athlete with a Disability: Steve Serio – Wheelchair Basketball
- Best Female Athlete with a Disability: Becca Meyers – Paralympic Swimming
- Best Comeback Athlete: Jordy Nelson – Green Bay Packers
- Best International Athlete: Usain Bolt – Running
- Best NBA Player: LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers
- Best MLB Player: Mike Trout – Los Angeles Angels
- Best NHL Player: Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh Penguins
- Best Driver: Lewis Hamilton – Formula One
- Best Fighter: Demetrious Johnson – UFC
- Best Male Golfer: Sergio Garcia
- Best Female Golfer: Ariya Jutanugarn
- Best Male Tennis Player: Roger Federer
- Best Female Tennis Player: Serena Williams (obviously)
- Best MLS Player: David Villa – New York City FC
- Best Jockey: John Velazquez
- Best Bowler: Jason Belmonte
