July 16, 2015
Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner, who came out as transgender this year, was honored at this year's ESPY Awards ceremony, sparking controversy among social media users.
The 65-year-old, who as Bruce Jenner took gold at the 1976 Olympics in the decathlon, received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, which is named after the late United States tennis star and presented to "individuals whose contributions transcend sports."
Jenner received a standing ovation and gave an emotional acceptance speech at the Los Angeles event, officially known as the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY) Awards. In her speech, she called for respect and acceptance of other transgender people.
"I trained hard, I competed hard and, for that, people respected me, but this transition has been harder on me than anything I could have imagined, and that's the case for so many others besides me," Jenner said.
"For that reason alone trans people deserve something vital. They deserve your respect."
As with any controversial subject, Jenner's recognition sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some said they were inspired by her courage.
Incredibly moving and thought provoking speech that everyone should listen to @Caitlyn_Jenner #ESPYS #CaitlynJenner
— Katie Bird (@KatiebirdBird) July 16, 2015
I thought Caitlyn Jenner kinda crushed it tonight at the #ESPYAwards ...so very poignant and concise,and inspiring #ESPYS #Courage
— Elliott Yamin (@elliottyamin) July 16, 2015
For anyone who doubted that Caitlyn Jenner was a deserving recipient of the courage award at the ESPYS, watch her speech. Inspirational.
— Em (@emzyb_) July 16, 2015
Others were upset by the choice to honor Jenner.
Caitlyn Jenner won the ESPY Courage award instead of Noah Galloway, a soldier who lost his left leg and arm in Iraq...?? #ESPYS
— Lauren Hill (@Lauren_Hill1997) July 16, 2015
Caitlyn Jenner just got a 15 minute special about becoming a woman. Leah got 3 minutes for fighting cancer, Stuart Scott 0. #ESPYS
— ClownManSwag (@ClownManSwag) July 16, 2015
Howard Eskin, sports anchor at Fox29 and sports radio personality for WIP-FM 94.1, was outspoken about his disapproval.
Insulting that #espn selects "Bruce" Jenner to win Arthur Ashe Courage Award w all the stories they have done on kids in sports w cancer
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) July 16, 2015
Bruce Jenner was selected 2 win Award because ESPY's switched 2 ABC and needed the ratings for the show. Embarrassed name of Arthur Ashe
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) July 16, 2015
Eskin had posted a similar, but perhaps more insulting, tweet earlier, which he later deleted.
@howardeskin That's a different tweet from the one you posted earlier, Howard. pic.twitter.com/NXOmBZEa3Q
— Matt Hopkins (@Mopkins15) July 16, 2015
The annual awards, presented by the sports cable network ESPN, pay tribute to leading sports performers and performances of the year.
Others honored at the awards included the U.S. women's soccer team, basketball players LeBron James and Stephen Curry and retired New York Yankees player Derek Jeter.
Reuters contributed to this report.
