Sports broadcaster Bob Costas was asked about his thoughts on Caitlyn Jenner receiving ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs this year. While he has nothing against Jenner, he did suggest that someone more closely related to sports today be honored, calling the movie a “crass exploitation play.”
While on The Dan Patrick Show, Costas said that he wishes Jenner “all the happiness in the world,” however, “It strikes me that awarding the Arthur Ashe award to Caitlyn Jenner is just a crass exploitation play.” He then called it a “tabloid play.”
“In the broad world of sports, I’m pretty sure they could have found - and this is not anything against Caitlyn Jenner - I’m pretty sure they could have found someone who was much closer to actively involved in sports, who would have been deserving of what that award represents,” Costas explained, notes Deadspin.
Costas went on to state that, while Jenner showed incredible courage by coming out to the world, he just thinks that ESPN usually finds “prominent people and kids in high school and amateur athletes who I think more closely fit the description of what they’re looking for or should be looking for there.”
He concluded, “And I think this is a play to pump up audience the way lots of things are put on television, to attract eyeballs, not because of the validity, but because of whatever the kind of gawker factor is.”
While Jenner hasn’t been active in the sports world lately, it is important to note that he was once known as one of the greatest American athletes in the world and was an Olympic champion. Of course, she is better known for being a Keeping Up With The Kardashians star, but perhaps the Arthur Ashe Courage Award could remind the younger viewers in the audience just how big Jenner’s public transition is.
ESPN announced that Jenner would receive the award just minutes after the Vanity Fair cover was released. Others on Twitter also complained that there are others who deserve the award, including Lauren Hill, a college basketball player who bravely fought cancer or Bills legend Jim Kelly, who has survived two fights with cancer.
cover photo of Vanity Fair