ESPYs 2014: Recapping Most Memorable Awards Winners

The 2014 ESPY Awards should have come with a complimentary box of tissues: The event ran the gamut of emotions for those who watched at home or inside the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Host Drake started off an enjoyable Wednesday night with a strong monologue, riffing on Lance Stephenson, Russell Westbrook and Donald Sterling, among others.

What most people will talk about, though, are the award winners. You can view the full list of honorees on ESPN.com.

Among those earning recognition at the ESPYs, three winners stood out.

Best Play: Chris Davis

Anything rehashing the "Kick Six"—Auburn cornerback Davis' game-winning, 109-yard return of a missed field goal to win the 2013 Iron Bowl—is all right in my book.

Sorry, Alabama fans.

Perhaps it should've won Best Moment, but arguing about ESPY Awards is a futile exercise. At least Davis had another special moment in accepting the Best Play ESPY.

"I wish they had 10 more of these so I could give to my other teammates who were on the field at that time," he said in his speech, per Charles Goldberg of AuburnTigers.com. "Without them, I wouldn't be standing here today."

The phrase "once in a lifetime" is thrown around too casually sometimes, but the "Kick Six" deserves the designation. In watching every football game for the next century, you'd be hard-pressed to witness an ending as dramatic.

Arthur Ashe Courage Award: Michael Sam

John Shearer/Associated Press

Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch perfectly captured the dichotomy of the ESPY Awards as an institution. One minute, Drake is singing about side pieces; the next, Michael Sam is giving a heartfelt, moving speech after accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award:

The ESPYs official Twitter account posted the video of Sam's speech, which is a must-watch if you haven't seen it already.

And if you have seen it, watch it again:

The St. Louis Rams' seventh-round draft pick discussed his hardships upon revealing that he is gay—and how those who don't feel comfortable in their own skin should learn how to live for themselves without worrying about others' opinions.

The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman and author Jeff Pearlman spoke for many sports fans with their praise of the former Missouri star:

When this year's ESPY Awards is discussed retrospectively, Sam's speech is sure to pegged as a highlight.

Jimmy V Perseverance Award: Stuart Scott

Another highlight was Stuart Scott's acceptance of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award.

The ESPN sportscaster's battle with cancer has mostly been in the background since his initial 2007 diagnosis, per The New York Times' Richard Sandomir.

It was certainly brought to the fore Wednesday night.

The award's namesake—former North Carolina State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano—was responsible for the most memorable moment in ESPYs history: His 1993 speech about never giving up has become iconic, and rightfully so.

Nothing can top the power or the passion of Jimmy V's sermon, but Scott came as close as possible. The ESPYs also posted the final few minutes of Scott's speech on Twitter:

Making the moment even more emotional, Scott shared a hug with his daughter onstage.

Some of his colleagues at ESPN issued their gratitude and support via Twitter for the SportsCenter mainstay:

The ESPY Awards have a reputation—deservedly earned, some would argue—for being a superfluous event held only to satiate the ESPN personnel's need to cozy up to Hollywood stars and platinum recording artists.

If the payoff for sitting through a lot of fluff is moments like these, then it's more than a fair trade.