2022 ESPY Award Winners: Results, Highlights, and Best Moments

Posted on by Jack Marks

The ESPYs 2022 honored the top athletes, teams, and sporting achievements. The 30th annual ESPY Awards ceremony took place on July 20, 2022, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles and was televised by ABC. Stephen Curry, an NBA star, acted as the host. The awards show is in the books, and despite some scheduling hiccups, it was a night filled with powerful messages and moving moments.

Curry, the show’s host, also delivered the customary opening speech and performed many sketches throughout the evening. He made fun of several NBA supporters, including those of the Heat, Lakers, and Celtics. He had Draymond Green disrupt the show at one point.

We have compiled a complete list of winners and notable highlights from the award ceremony.

ESPY Award winners 2022

Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Dick Vitale

Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: Albert Pujols

Pat Tillman Award for Service: Gretchen Evans

Arthur Ashe Courage Award: Vitali Klitschko

Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year: Denver Broncos

Best MMA Fighter: Charles Oliveira

Best College Athlete, Women’s Sports: Jocelyn Alo, Oklahoma softball

Best College Athlete, Men’s Sports: Bryce Young, Alabama football

Best MLB Player: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

Best NFL Player: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Best NBA Player: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Best Game: Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Buffalo Bills in an OT thriller (AFC divisional-round game)

Best Championship Performance: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams — Super Bowl LVI

Best Breakthrough Athlete: Eileen Gu

Best Team: Golden State Warriors

Best Athlete, Women’s Sports: Katie Ledecky

Best Record-Breaking Performance: Stephen Curry passes Ray Allen for most 3-pointers made in NBA history

Best Play: Megan Rapinoe’s unbelievable corner kick goal

Best Athlete, Men’s Sports: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

Best WWE Moment: Cody Rhodes returns to WWE at WrestleMania

Best Olympian, Women’s Sports: Katie Ledecky, swimming

Best Olympian, Men’s Sports: Caeleb Dressel, swimming

Best International Athlete, Men’s Soccer: Kylian Mbappé, PSG

Best International Athlete, Women’s Soccer: Sam Kerr, Chelsea

Best NHL Player: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

Best Driver: Kyle Larson, NASCAR

Best WNBA Player: Candace Parker, Chicago Sky

Best Boxer: Tyson Fury

Best Comeback Athlete: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors

Best Athlete, Men’s Golf: Justin Thomas

Best Athlete, Women’s Golf: Nelly Korda

Best Athlete, Men’s Tennis: Rafael Nadal

Best Athlete, Women’s Tennis: Emma Raducanu

Best Athlete With a Disability, Men’s Sports: Brad Snyder, para-triathlon

Best Athlete With a Disability, Women’s Sports: Jessica Long, swimming

Best MLS Player: Carlos Vela, LAFC

Best NWSL Player: Ashley Hatch, Washington Spirit

Best Athlete, Men’s Action Sports: Eli Tomac, Supercross

Best Athlete, Women’s Action Sports: Eileen Gu, skiing

Best Bowler: Kyle Troup

Best Jockey: Jose Ortiz

ESPY best moments & highlights

Curry’s introductory speech, which was filled with digs at NBA franchises and players, set the tone for the evening. Steph’s introductory address included a few razor-sharp lines. Grant Williams was even given the opportunity to wear one of his rings because of his noble deed.

Later in the speech, Steph made a comeback to criticize LeBron, 37, and the Los Angeles Lakers. For Steph, it wasn’t all jokes. Along with his children Riley, 10, and Ryan, 7, he and his wife, Ayesha Curry, brought elegance to the red carpet.

Finally, we got to see some of the jokes that weren’t used, including Curry stating the Celtics were his child. Celtics lost the finals and they’re still being trolled by Curry. That’s the worst part about losing an NBA Finals.

The ESPYs also attracted some of the best fashion statements from athletes and their families around the world.

The late Kobe Bryant received a tribute from Thompson for his finest comeback. Before taking home the 2022 NBA title, the Warriors star lost two seasons due to severe ACL and Achilles tendon ailments.

The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance was given to college basketball pundit Dick Vitale after the 82-year-old’s struggle with cancer, the same illness that took the life of his closest friend Jim Valvano in 1993.

During this year’s ESPY Awards event on Wednesday, a number of celebrities urged the release of WNBA player Brittney Griner from custody. Megan Rapinoe of the USWNT and Steph Curry, a four-time NBA champion, were two prominent figures who helped draw attention to Griner’s situation during the celebration of athletic excellence.

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