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Los Angeles — LeBron James won five trophies, including best male athlete and best NBA player, at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday night when frivolity gave way to a James-led call to end gun violence and racial profiling.
The show honouring the year's best athletes and sports moments opened on a somber note, with James and fellow NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade standing four abreast on stage addressing the recent shootings of blacks by white police officers.
"The urgency to create change is at an all-time high," Anthony said.
Paul, the nephew of a police officer, recited the names of several men who have been killed. Wade urged a stop to racial profiling, a shoot-to-kill mentality and "not seeing the value of black and brown bodies."
"Enough is enough," he said.
James echoed Wade, noting, "We all feel helpless and frustrated by the violence."
James urged his fellow pros to educate themselves and renounce violence while using their resources and time to help strengthen and rebuild their communities.
"We all to have do better," he said.
Golden State star Stephen Curry thanked the quartet for their message while accepting the night's first award for record-breaking performance. He hit 402 3-pointers during the regular season.
James won male athlete and championship performance for the third time in his career and his fifth trophy as top NBA player. He shared the team and best moment awards with his Cavaliers teammates, who upset Golden State to deliver the first championship for Cleveland in 52 years.
In accepting best moment, James brought teammates Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love on stage, where he saluted Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown for his early social activism in the hardscrabble city.
Breanna Stewart won best female athlete on her third try, beating WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne and two Olympians, swimmer Katie Ledecky and gymnast Simone Biles. Stewart helped UConn win a fourth straight NCAA basketball championship before going to the WNBA.
In her speech, Stewart called for equality for female athletes.
"Female athletes don't receive half the fame. I know everyone in this room loves and supports women and girls in sports and wants to be a part of that change, right?" she said. "Equality for all takes each of us making an effort. Together let's be better."
WWE star John Cena hosted the show from Microsoft Theatre in downtown Los Angeles.
In one of the night's most emotional moments, Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old high school football player from Knoxville, Tennessee, was honoured posthumously with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award for giving his life to shield two young women from gunfire last year. His mother, Zenobia Dobson, and two brothers accepted the trophy from Curry, with last year's honouree Caitlyn Jenner joining the standing ovation.
Dobson told the audience four months after her son's death his 12-year-old cousin was killed in a drive-by shooting on his way home from a basketball game where Zaevion was honored.
"I'm here to fight back," Dobson said. "We as a country need to take a stand to consider the effects of gun violence on the families throughout America."
Tears welled in the eyes of several athletes who applauded her comments.
"We need to rewrite laws to make it harder for people to get guns," Dobson said. "All the athletes in this room, you have a lot of power. People look up to you, I know Zaevion did. I urge you to think tonight about why he died and what you can do tomorrow to prevent the next innocent man or woman from being lost."
In video comments, President Barack Obama said, "It's up to all of us to build a country that's worthy of Zaevion's promise. That's what we owe him. That's what we owe all our kids."
Vice President Joe Biden presented TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for his strength and determination while fighting leukemia for 1 1/2 years. During the commercial break, Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and Reggie Miller joined Sager and Biden on stage for a photo.
The Pat Tillman Award for Service was presented to Paralympic swimmer Sgt. Elizabeth Marks for her strength through adversity and continued service to her country.
Singer Justin Timberlake gave the Icon Award to Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning and Abby Wambach, all of whom retired from their respective sports this year.
Here is a full list of winners:
Male Athlete: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Female Athlete: Breanna Stewart, UConn
Record-Breaking Performance: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Breakthrough Athlete: Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs
Play: Aaron Rodgers' Hail Mary to Richard Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Moment: City of Cleveland wins first title in 52 years
Upset: Holly Holm over Ronda Rousey, UFC
Comeback Athlete: Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs
Team: Cleveland Cavaliers
Championship Performance: LeBron James
Game: NBA Finals, Game 7
Coach: Tyronn Lue, Cleveland Cavaliers
NBA Player: LeBron James
MLB Player: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals
NFL Player: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
NHL Player: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Male College Athlete: Buddy Hield, Oklahoma
Female College Athlete: Breanna Stewart, UConn
Male Tennis Player: Novak Djokovic
Female Tennis Player: Serena Williams
Male Action Sports Athlete: Ryan Dungey
Female Action Sports Athlete: Jamie Anderson
Male Athlete with a Disability: Richard Browne
Female Athlete with a Disability: Tatyana McFadden
International Athlete: Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer
Best MLS player: Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
WNBA Player: Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx
Driver: Kyle Busch
Male Golfer: Jordan Spieth
Female Golfer: Lydia Ko
Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Bowler: Jason Belmonte
Fighter: Conor McGregor
Special Awards:
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Craig Sager
Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Zaevion Dobson
Pat Tillman Award for Service: Sgt. Elizabeth Marks
Icon Award: Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning and Abby Wambach
(Photo: Getty Images)
