Caitlin Clark, Patrick Mahomes and Shohei Ohtani were among the big stars honored Thursday night at the 2024 ESPY Awards.
Before the televised ceremony at the Dolby Theatre, several winners were announced during the Red Carpet show. Clark, Mahomes and Ohtani won awards in their respective fields.
Clark won the ESPY for Outstanding College Athlete in Women’s Sports. Her stellar collegiate career at the University of Iowa elevated her above fellow nominees LSU gymnast Haleigh Bryant, Wisconsin volleyball star Sarah Franklin and Northwestern lacrosse star Izzy Scane.
The former Iowa Hawkeye achieved a milestone at the university by breaking Pete Maravich’s NCAA scoring record and was also awarded the award for best record-breaking performance.
The No. 1 overall pick was also nominated for Best Athlete in Women’s Sports. However, along with Coco Gauff and Nelly Korda, Clark watched reigning WNBA Finals MVP A’ja Wilson take home the award.
Caitlin Clark was named the best college athlete in women’s sports at the 2024 ESPY Awards
Three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes was named NFL’s best player
After winning the Super Bowl MVP award for the second time in a row and for the third time in five years, Mahomes was named the NFL’s best player and men’s athlete.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ frontman was chosen over Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett, San Francisco 49ers and NFL leader in rushing yards Christian McCaffrey and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens for the league honor.
Meanwhile, Ohtani, a $700 million player for the LA Dodgers, was named the best MLB player and remains in contention for the NL MVP title after leaving the Angels.
Ohtani was selected over the Braves’ Ronald Acuña, the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole and the Rangers’ Corey Seager.
Both Mahomes and Ohtani were nominated for Outstanding Male Athlete, along with golfer Scottie Scheffler and Edmonton Oilers ace Connor McDavid. With Mahomes taking home the award, his second of the night, Chiefs coach Andy Reid accepted the trophy on his behalf.
National League MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers was named MLB Player of the Year
Baltimore Ravens quarterback and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson won the ESPY for Best Play
NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown won the award for best championship performance
Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson won ESPYs for best female athlete and best WNBA player
Additionally, Max Verstappen was voted Best Driver and Luka Doncic was voted Best NBA Player. Wilson also earned her second ESPY of the night after being named Best WNBA Player.
NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown, who was recently left off the U.S. Olympic team, won the trophy for best championship performance.
While preparing to lead the U.S. gymnastics team in Paris, Simone Biles was named the best comeback athlete.
Other award winners include Brenna Huckaby for Best Athlete with a Disability, Juju Watkins for Best Breakthrough Athlete and Jackson for Best Play.
In addition to the athletes, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, received the Pat Tillman Award for Service, while South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
