Almost 40 years ago, Bruce Jenner’s Olympic success came as a result of strengthening both his mind and body leading to his status as one of the world’s greatest athletes, but the decision to publicly come out as a transgender woman took a different kind of courage and acceptance of one’s self. To celebrate that bravery, ESPN today announced that Jenner will be presented with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The 2015 ESPYS Presented by Capital One. Presented annually to individuals whose contributions transcend sports, the Arthur Ashe Courage Award is the pinnacle of the sports celebration, which will be televised Wednesday, July 15, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC from Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE.
Jenner’s unyielding resolve and hard work enabled him to win a gold medal in the 1976 Olympics and break world records. He then parlayed that success into a variety of roles across different areas including television, film, auto racing and business. Although Jenner first captured the attention of the nation for his athletic prowess and determination, the same strength of character shone through this past April when he sat down with ABC’s Diane Sawyer to come out as a transgender woman.
“In the past few months, the overwhelming outpouring of support from all over the world for my journey has been incredible,” said Jenner. “However, being honored with this award, which is named after one of my heroes, is truly special. For the first time this July, I will be able to stand as my true self in front of my peers.”
Added executive producer Maura Mandt: “Bruce has received many accolades over the years for being one of the greatest Olympians of our time but The ESPYS are honored to celebrate Bruce becoming Caitlyn. She has shown the courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and to embark on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces.”
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is presented each year to individuals whose contributions transcend sports. Past honorees include: Jim Valvano (1993); Steve Palermo (1994); Howard Cosell (1995); Loretta Claiborne (1996); Muhammad Ali (1997); Dean Smith (1998); Billie Jean King (1999); Dave Sanders (2000); Olympian Cathy Freeman (2001); Todd Beamer, Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett and Jeremy Glick, four passengers who lost their lives September 11 on United Flight 93 (2002); Pat and Kevin Tillman (2003); Liberian-born soccer legend George Weah (2004); disabled athletes Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah and Jim MacLaren (2005); Afghan female athletes (2006); and Trevor Ringland and Dave Cullen for their work with PeacePlayers (2007); U.S. Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos (2008); former president Nelson Mandela (2009); the Thomas family of Parkersburg, IA (2010); boxer Dewey Bozella (2011); women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt (2012); Robin Roberts (2013) and Michael Sam (2014).
Met, please enlighten me here. What am I missing? If the award is presented to individuals whose contributions extends beyond sports, where is Jenner’s contribution? Aside from contributing a penis for medical research, what is the contribution deserving of this award?
I am over this Caitlyn/Bruce story. That fame whore Bruce is loving all this attention he is getting. I surely don’t get why he is getting the Arthur Ashe Award. These hypocrite people… not one of them is saying that this man is wrong for having all these damn kids when he know he is a damn woman. Married 3 times too… not one but three. Shame on you Bruce.
that’s exactly what I am saying, from you divorce once you woman hormone de neva did a kick in then.. him go married twice and have two more pickney weh shame like dog.. khole a the only wan weh show say she don’t approve.. when me a watch the show u can see the disgusting look on khole face she was so mad. no sah! so the wife know say him did all a play dress up? but she did a try hide it cause a the kids them, all the one kim know say bruce did a battyman cause she ketch bruce inna frack, all now me nuh hear bruce son dem. mi nuh hear gun fire from dem, them gone inna hiding
Ok so…..mi just don’t know what to say/write except only in America…I guess. Why didn’t they give HIM this award before the transformation many years ago??
THE WORLD HAS GONE MAD!
Lauren Hill, who beat the odds by playing college basketball this fall despite her inoperable brain tumor, has died. She was 19. is more deserving of the award but who am I to say. dem a try tek over slowly but surly!
oh well……last days
kim deh pan twitter a lok attention.. when sinkim start address rumors? from bruce tek way the spot light from her she uneasy.. no sah
Yuh knw dem a gwaan too bad nung how de phuck brucerilla deserve dis award nd why a now wen him confuse him a get it?
Look how them discriminate Michael jackson fe bleach him skin, an nw honoring Bruce for turning frm man to oman. smh
Maybe the award to commend him on being a grandfather last month and being a grandmother in the future
Jenner Kids Speak Out: ‘He’s Disappeared Out Of Our Lives’ — Watch
During an unaired scene from Bruce’s 20/20 interview, in which he confirmed his gender transition, his eldest daughter admits that her relationship with Bruce hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows.
His daughter recalled a time in the 80’s when Bruce seemed to have vanished from their lives. “We have a very complex relationship, he’s disappeared out of our lives, especially out of my life,” Cassandra Marino told ABC News. “So, I’m looking forward to this next chapter.”
Burt Jenner Blasting Kris Jenner For Belated ‘Support’ Of Bruce Jenner? — See Tweet
“Us missing a time of our lives is still probably the hardest thing to deal with,” Brandon Jenner told the cameras. “We’re trying to not look back, we’re looking forward.”
Bruce admitted that the gender identity crisis he was enduring, led to him being absent too ofter from his family’s lives. “The big formative years for them, I was really struggling with these issues. I talked with all the boys about this after the fact, that yeah I didn’t do a good job,” Bruce told Diane. “And I apologized to my kids for that.”
Kris Jenner On Bruce Jenner’s Interview — She Cried & Feels She Failed Him
But for his kids, all is forgiven and they’re all ready to embark on this new journey with their dad.
Now I know these gay ppl only care for themselves
some people are so addicted to indulging their flesh that they turn to homosexual behavior in adulthood. In this case, sin grows up from within the darkened human heart, as described in James 1:14-15: “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” There’s probably some demonic influence involved in this process as well.
Mi tun on mi tv fi watch bomboclaawt news a dis shit mi si! Why dis deh pon di news? Kmft
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad Gen:11:4
the city represents the plan to spread horizontally around the world to see homosexuality not only accepted but the primary leader of humanity. This spirit doesn’t simply want to be affirmed it wants to dominate.
Yes but it is the ultimate destructor/ destruction.
Him need to go away already. Why are they making him out to be a hero is mind boggling. I cannot get pass this man’s selfishness. Ugh!
All I want to know is what laws will be put in place to protect heterosexual individuals from this abomination. Can you imagine what the future will be like, you find someone to settle with only to find out he was born a woman and change to man or born a man and change to woman. What laws do they have in place that state that they have to be transparent and honest.
It’s utter disgrace there right really trying to ram the gay agenda down