ESPY Award winners 2023: Full results, highlights, best moments from the ESPYS

<p>The 2023 ESPY Awards are in the books, with ESPN having concluded its celebration of the best of the best in sports.</p>

<p>The night belonged to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who came away with three awards: best athlete among men, best NFL player, and best team alongside the rest of the Chiefs.</p>

<p><strong>BENDER: <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/patrick-mahomes-chiefs-next-ph… opens up about next phase of NFL superstardom</a></strong></p>

<p>Outside of Mahomes, ESPN placed a heavy emphasis on the humanitarian awards. The U.S. women's national soccer team was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award; the Bills' training staff <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/damar-hamlin-bills-staff-pat-t… the Pat Tillman Award for Service from Damar Hamlin</a>; and White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for coming back to pitch after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/other-sports/news/pat-mcafee-host-espys… host Pat McAfee</a> did a monologue at the start of the show, but he didn't have the traditional ESPYS duty of appearing in skits throughout the night and showed up just once more. Instead, presenters carried the burden of entertaining, some more successfully than others.</p>

<p>There was a brief moment where it seemed like the crowd might be treated to a historic moment, <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/lebron-james-retirement-espys/… LeBron James began to talk about retirement</a>. He quickly quashed that, however, instead confirming he still has plenty to offer the NBA.</p>

<p>The Sporting News tracked the night live. Scroll down to see the winners and highlights from Wednesday night.</p>

<h2>ESPYS list of categories, nominees, winners, highlights</h2>

<p><strong>11:06 p.m. -- </strong>To cap off the televised part of the night, the Chiefs take Team of the Year. It's Mahomes' third ESPY of the night.</p>

<p><strong>10:57 p.m. -- </strong>Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins present Best Play, which goes to Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson for his one-handed catch against the Bills en route to a Minnesota victory.</p>

<p><strong>10:45 p.m. -- </strong>Tiffany Haddish introduces the U.S. women's soccer team as the winners of the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage in their fight for equal pay. Another powerful moment tonight.</p>

<p><strong>10:11 p.m. -- </strong>H.E.R. is singing a touching tribute to Jim Valvano's 1993 "Don't give up" speech, intercut with moments from the ESPYS.</p>

<p><strong>MORE: <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/other-sports/news/jim-valvano-speech-es…; hreflang="en">The story & Jimmy V's famous quotes behind iconic 1993 ESPYS speech</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>10:03 p.m. -- </strong>Breathe, everyone. LeBron is not retiring. Also, A'ja Wilson won best WNBA Player. He just kind of dropped that in.</p>

<p><strong>9:59 p.m. -- </strong>LeBron takes the stage and gets a lot of love from his family after a video package. Definitely a cool moment seeing them all up on stage.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A legacy like no other.<a href="https://twitter.com/michaelb4jordan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@michaelb4jord…; on LeBron's greatness 👑<a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingJames</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPYS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPYS</a> <a href="https://t.co/7Kpv95wU0B">pic.twitter.com/7Kpv95wU0B</a></p>
— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1679309196825591809?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw… 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>9:54 p.m. -- </strong>LeBron James' family now takes the stage to honor James becoming the NBA's all-time scoring leader this year, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar against the Thunder this season.</p>

<p><strong>9:44 p.m. -- </strong>Chris Berman presents White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for his remarkable comeback from non-Hodgkin lymphoma to pitch for the South Side Sox this season.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What a speech, Liam Hendriks 🥹<br />
<br />
Join us and <a href="https://twitter.com/TheVFoundation?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TheVFoundation…; in the fight against cancer. <a href="https://t.co/6NwFh2XdEK">https://t.co/6NwFh2XdEK</a> <a href="https://t.co/mLZ6pUAEZk">pic.twitter.com/mLZ6pUAEZk</a></p>
— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1679323913166245889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw… 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>9:30 p.m. -- </strong>Video of Hamlin's emotional presentation of the Pat Tillman Award for Service to the Bills staff.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Damar Hamlin presenting the Pat Tillman Award for Service to the Bills' training staff at the <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPYS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPYS</a> is pretty awesome. <a href="https://t.co/Lbt5B6yTYF">pic.twitter.com/Lbt5B6yTYF</a></p>
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1679297870762065921?ref_src=tws… 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>9:02 p.m. -- </strong>Damar Hamlin gets a big ovation as he takes the stage to present the Bills training staff with the Pat Tillman Award for Service.</p>

<p><strong>8:55 p.m. -- </strong>Patrick Mahomes continues to dominate in, well, everything. He wins for best male athlete.</p>

<p><strong>8:49 p.m. -- </strong>Mikaela Shiffrin wins the ESPY for best women's athlete, highlighting an incredible 2022 for the skiing superstar.</p>

<p><strong>8:44 p.m. -- </strong>Jrue and Lauren Holiday earned the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for their support of Black-owned business.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Our purpose here is to love each other."<br />
<br />
From Jrue supporting his wife Lauren when she had a brain tumor while pregnant, to them donating millions of dollars to Black and Brown businesses in 2020, the Holidays have always been a team ❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPYS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPYS</a> <a href="https://t.co/L8kGIWnZrl">pic.twitter.com/L8kGIWnZrl</a></p>
— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1679290279038255104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw… 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>8:22 p.m. -- </strong>Jamal Murray of the Nuggets wins comeback player of the year after helping Denver to a championship after tearing his ACL.</p>

<p><strong>8:13 p.m. -- </strong>OK. McAfee is a host. This is a host monologue.</p>

<p><strong>8:08 p.m. -- </strong>Lil Wayne opens The ESPYs with a performance of "A Milli," and Pat McAfee comes out as a de facto host, despite his assertions he is not a host.</p>

<p><strong>7:46 p.m. -- </strong>Dion Dawkins has shown up with... A look.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Dion Dawkins brought it for the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ESPYS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ES…; 🙌 <a href="https://t.co/NIRKYoT1rs">pic.twitter.com/NIRKYoT1rs</a></p>
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNFL/status/1679274757798207490?ref_src=twsrc%5E… 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>7:16 p.m. -- </strong>Oklahoma softball has been unstoppable over the past few years. It is up for best team against other championship teams from the major sports. If we're talking purely by record, the Sonners will be tough to beat.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lights, camera, 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🎬<br />
<br />
ABC at 7 PM CT, <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sooners?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#… href="https://twitter.com/ESPYS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPYS</a> x <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionshipMindset?src=hash&ref_src=tw…; <a href="https://t.co/pEoKkQ6Ro7">pic.twitter.com/pEoKkQ6Ro7</a></p>
— Oklahoma Softball (@OU_Softball) <a href="https://twitter.com/OU_Softball/status/1679265467243040769?ref_src=twsr… 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>7:07 p.m. -- </strong>The best NFL player is on the red carpet.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="fi">Red carpet szn<br />
<br />
📍ESPYS <a href="https://twitter.com/PatrickMahomes?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PatrickMahomes…; <a href="https://t.co/V4Sl2S9y43">pic.twitter.com/V4Sl2S9y43</a></p>
— NFL (@NFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1679266037215399937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw"… 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>6:45 p.m. -- </strong>ESPYs mainstay Mikaela Shiffrin is ready.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Here we go!! 😅<a href="https://twitter.com/ESPYS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPYS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@espn</a> <a href="https://t.co/lKb7yulUwA">pic.twitter.com/lKb7yulUwA</a></p>
— Mikaela Shiffrin (@MikaelaShiffrin) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikaelaShiffrin/status/1679258833116442624?ref_src=… 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>6:25 p.m. -- </strong>Another big honor to look for: White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks is set to receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance after coming back to the team following his inspiring battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Liam Hendriks will accept the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance tonight at the ESPYs<br />
<br />
Here's how to watch 👇<a href="https://t.co/74Wp1Oyaid">https://t.co/74Wp1Oyaid</a></p>
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSWhiteSox/status/1679252378128711681?ref_src=tws… 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>6:02 p.m. -- </strong>The Vegas Golden Knights are very much on the scene in Los Angeles.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Checking in from the ESPYS red carpet! 👋<br />
<br />
We are nominated for best team and Jonathan Marchessault is nominated for best NHL player! Wish us luck, fam 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/Ew26xT9Zvi">pic.twitter.com/Ew26xT9Zvi</a></p>
— 🏆 - Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldenKnights/status/1679239791546867712?ref_src=tw… 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>6 p.m. -- </strong>In other pre-announced awards, the Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has already been announced as best NBA player.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Nikola Jokic is taking home the award for the ESPYS Best NBA Player 🏆 <a href="https://t.co/6Q914mWGlA">pic.twitter.com/6Q914mWGlA</a></p>
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNNBA/status/1678865700356513793?ref_src=twsrc%5E… 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>5:55 p.m. -- </strong>It's been confirmed LeBron James will be getting a special honor after passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the NBA's all-time leading scorer. </p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Happy <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPYS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ESPYS</a> Day ✨<br />
<br />
Tonight, <a href="https://twitter.com/KingJames?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KingJames</a> will accept a special honor as the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBA</a>'s all-time leading scorer 👑 <a href="https://t.co/o6XBl9lcHf">pic.twitter.com/o6XBl9lcHf</a></p>
— ESPN (@espn) <a href="https://twitter.com/espn/status/1679196656401797120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw… 12, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p><strong>5 p.m. -- </strong>The ESPYs have not yet begun, but "NFL Live" has already unveiled the winner of a major category. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has won for best NFL player, unsurprising given his MVP award last season.</p>

<h2>ESPY Award nominees 2023</h2>

<h3>Best athlete, men's sports</h3>

<ul>
<li>Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets</li>
<li>Aaron Judge, New York Yankees</li>
<li>Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs</li>
<li>Lionel Messi, Argentina</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs</strong></p>

<h3>Best athlete, women's sports</h3>

<ul>
<li>Mikaela Shiffrin, Ski</li>
<li>Sophia Smith, Portland Thorns</li>
<li>Iga Swiatek, Tennis</li>
<li>A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Mikaela Shiffrin, Ski</strong></p>

<h3>Best breakthrough athlete</h3>

<ul>
<li>Caitlin Clark, Iowa Women’s Basketball</li>
<li>Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers</li>
<li>Angel Reese, LSU Women’s Basketball</li>
<li>Julio Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Angel Reese, LSU Women's Basketball</strong></p>

<h3>Best record-breaking performance</h3>

Scroll to Continue with Content

<ul>
<li>Novak Djokovic wins his 23rd Grand Slam title, defeating Casper Ruud in the French Open final. Breaking a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the most major singles trophies in the history of men’s tennis, which dates to the 1800s</li>
<li>LeBron James surpasses Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for NBA career scoring record</li>
<li>Mikaela Shiffrin breaks the record for the most World Cup victories with her 87th win</li>
<li>Max Verstappen wins the Mexican Grand Prix, breaking the record for most wins in a season</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: LeBron James</strong></p>

<h3>Best championship performance</h3>

<ul>
<li>Leon Edwards, UFC</li>
<li>Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets</li>
<li>Lionel Messi, Argentina</li>
<li>Rose Zhang, LPGA</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Lionel Messi, Argentina</strong></p>

<h3><strong>Best comeback athlete</strong></h3>

<ul>
<li>Jon Jones, UFC</li>
<li>Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets</li>
<li>Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun</li>
<li>Justin Verlander, New York Mets / Houston Astros</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets</strong></p>

<p><b>Winner: Justin Jefferson's Catch of the Century</b></p>

<ul>
<li>Denver Nuggets, NBA</li>
<li>Georgia Bulldogs, NCAA Football</li>
<li>Kansas City Chiefs, NFL</li>
<li>Las Vegas Aces, WNBA</li>
<li>Louisiana State Tigers, NCAA Women’s Basketball</li>
<li>Oklahoma Sooners, NCAA Softball</li>
<li>Vegas Golden Knights, NHL</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Kansas City Chiefs</strong></p>

<p><strong>MORE: <a href="https://www.sportingnews.com/us/other-sports/news/espy-meaning-stand-fo…; target="_blank">What does ESPY stand for?</a></strong></p>

<h3>Best college athlete, men's sports</h3>

<ul>
<li>Zach Edey, Purdue Basketball</li>
<li>Duncan McGuire, Creighton Soccer</li>
<li>Brennan O’Neill, Duke Lacrosse</li>
<li>Caleb Williams, USC Football</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Caleb Williams, USC</strong></p>

<h3>Best college athlete, women's sports</h3>

<ul>
<li>Jordy Bahl, Oklahoma Softball</li>
<li>Caitlin Clark, Iowa Basketball</li>
<li>Izzy Scane, Northwestern Lacrosse</li>
<li>Trinity Thomas, Florida Gymnastics</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Caitlin Clark, Iowa</strong></p>

<h3>Best athlete with a disability</h3>

<ul>
<li>Erica McKee, Sled Hockey Team</li>
<li>Zach Miller, Snowboarding</li>
<li>Aaron Pike, Wheelchair Racing & Cross-Country Skiing</li>
<li>Susannah Scaroni, Wheelchair Racing</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Zach Miller, Snowboarding</strong></p>

<h3>Best NFL player</h3>

<ul>
<li>Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers</li>
<li>Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles</li>
<li>Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings</li>
<li>Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs</strong></p>

<h3><strong>Best MLB player</strong></h3>

<ul>
<li>Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals</li>
<li>Aaron Judge, New York Yankees</li>
<li>Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels</li>
<li>Justin Verlander, Houston Astros</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels</strong></p>

<h3>Best NHL player</h3>

<ul>
<li>Jonathan Marchessault, Vegas Golden Knights</li>
<li>Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers</li>
<li>David Pastrňák, Boston Bruins</li>
<li>Linus Ullmark, Boston Bruins</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers</strong></p>

<h3>Best NBA player</h3>

<ul>
<li>Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat</li>
<li>Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers</li>
<li>Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets</li>
<li>Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets</strong></p>

<h3>Best WNBA player</h3>

<ul>
<li>Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury</li>
<li>Candace Parker, Chicago Sky (Current Las Vegas Aces)</li>
<li>Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm (Current New York Liberty)</li>
<li>A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces</strong></p>

<h3>Best driver</h3>

<ul>
<li>Brittany Force, NHRA</li>
<li>Kyle Larson, NASCAR</li>
<li>Josef Newgarden, IndyCar</li>
<li>Max Verstappen, F1</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Max Verstappen, F1</strong></p>

<h3>Best UFC fighter</h3>

<ul>
<li>Leon Edwards</li>
<li>Jon Jones</li>
<li>Islam Makhachev</li>
<li>Amanda Nunes</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Jon Jones</strong></p>

<h3>Best boxer</h3>

<ul>
<li>Gervonta Davis</li>
<li>Devin Haney</li>
<li>Claressa Shields</li>
<li>Shakur Stevenson</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Claressa Shields</strong></p>

<h3>Best soccer player</h3>

<ul>
<li>Aitana Bonmatí, Spain/Barcelona</li>
<li>Erling Haaland, Norway/Manchester City</li>
<li>Lionel Messi, Argentina/PSG</li>
<li>Sophia Smith, USA/Portland Thorns</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Lionel Messi, Argentina/PSG</strong></p>

<h3>Best golfer</h3>

<ul>
<li>Wyndham Clark</li>
<li>Nelly Korda</li>
<li>Jon Rahm</li>
<li>Scottie Scheffler</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Scottie Scheffler</strong></p>

<h3>Best tennis player</h3>

<ul>
<li>Carlos Alcaraz</li>
<li>Novak Djokovic</li>
<li>Aryna Sabalenka</li>
<li>Iga Swiatek</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Winner: Novak Djokovic</strong></p>

<h2>How to watch the 2023 ESPY Awards show</h2>

<ul>
<li><strong>Time:</strong> Wednesday, July 12 at 8 p.m. ET</li>
<li><strong>Channel:</strong> ABC</li>
<li><strong>Live stream:</strong> ESPN app | <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/sports/?irad=368998&irmp=1131770&sha…; target="_blank">Fubo (free trial)</a></li>
</ul>

<p>Cable subscribers can watch the 2023 ESPYS on ABC. Streaming options include ESPN.com or the ESPN app, both of which require cable login credentials.</p>

<p>Another option is <a href="https://www.fubo.tv/stream/sports/?irad=368998&irmp=1131770&sha…; target="_blank">Fubo</a>, which carries the ESPN family of networks — ABC included — and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.</p>

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