LOS ANGELES (AP) — The U.S. women’s national soccer team celebrated its Women’s World Cup victory on both coasts Wednesday, honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York City before jetting to the West Coast and collecting trophies at The ESPYS in the evening.
Alex Morgan won female athlete of the year and shared the best team award with her soccer mates.
“Sorry, but this is probably the second-best trophy we won this week,” Morgan said jokingly, hoisting her individual trophy.
As she got up from the front row, Megan Rapinoe’s black tuxedo jacket opened and exposed her left breast, which was caught by cameras showing the in-house feed of the show. An ABC spokesperson said the show would be further edited for the Mountain and Western time zones.
“I’ve dropped the F-bomb on every stage the last four days, so we’ll just spare you that,” Rapinoe told the audience.
Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks won male athlete of the year at the show honoring the past year’s top athletes and moments in sports.
“This is all about hard work. When you believe in your dreams this can happen,” Antetokounmpo said. “Hopefully, if I keep working hard there’s more to come.”
Comedian Tracy Morgan presided over the show at Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles.
Alex Morgan thanked ESPN for its recent deal to carry NWSL games.
“When the World Cup is behind us, it is the professional league that we need to continually lift up and grow,” she said. “Investment in women and girls should not only occur on the playing fields but in more storytelling of badass, amazing women who continue to show that we are more than just athletes.”
Sandra Bullock announced the best team award, saying, “All those in favor of equal pay say aye.”
The U.S. women’s team is suing to receive pay equal to their male counterparts.
“Keep fighting for equality,” Billie Jean King told the team from the stage earlier in the show.
Carli Lloyd informed the crowd the team had its hair and makeup done during the flight from New York.
“We look pretty fabulous, I think,” she said.
Lloyd added, “It’s been an incredible journey. Here’s to the next World Cup.”
Other athletes acknowledged the Women’s World Cup victory from the stage, including Drew Brees, winner for best record-breaking performance.
“It’s going to be in history forever,” new New Orleans Pelicans player Lonzo Ball said on the red carpet. “I don’t even watch soccer and I watched it. That means a lot.”
Zion Williamson, the No. 1 pick in last month’s NBA draft, earned best college athlete honors for his one-and-done season at Duke.
“Wish I could have stayed a second year, but I had other things to do,” a smiling Williamson said.
The best moment award was shared by a trio of recent retirees: Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn, NFL player Rob Gronkowski and NBA player Dwyane Wade.
UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi collected two trophies: best play and best viral sports moment for her floor exercise routine that earned a perfect score of 10.
Ohashi accepted her best play trophy by giving her remarks in rhyme.
Antetokounmpo was a double winner, too, adding best NBA player honors.
The St. Louis Blues earned best comeback for going from worst team in the NHL early in the season to the Stanley Cup championship. Center Ryan O’Reilly removed his tooth to thank the crowd.
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes won best NFL player; Milwaukee Brewers slugger Christian Yelich earned best MLB player; and Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals won best NHL player.
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