Discussion: ESPN Dropped the Ball on Arthur Ashe Courage Award (Your thoughts?)

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 17:30:40 -0400

http://www.inquisitr.com/2143514/caitlyn-jenner-lauren-hill-controversy-outrage-over-arthur-ashe-courage-award-to-caitlyn-not-hill-or-noah-galloway/

The world wide leader in sports has stirred up controversey by awarding Caitlyn Jenner (formerly Bruce) the Arthur Ashe Courage Award scheduled for the ESPYs later this summer. What makes this such a joke is that there are two other deserving individuals of the award. They are Lauren Hill and Noah Galloway.

Lauren Hill grabbed our attention by wanting to play collegiate basketball despite being diagnoised with a terminal brain tumor, but was able to play briefly and her story helped raise a lot of money in cancer research.

Noah Galloway is a man that many of us show great respect and admiration for (although, I personally didn't know his story until recently) after losing two limbs in combat. Galloway literally gave an arm and leg in service of his country, but didn't let the drastic change hold him back. Now, he's an avid participant in extreme sports and even appeared on Dancing with the Stars.

Both of these people didn't ask for the hand that was dealt them, but overcame the odds. With Jenner, that is not the case.

I'm not going to talk about someone's lifestyle or bring them down. My argument is the recognition of the true receipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. ESPN must feel that a former Olympic champion who changed sex is more courageous than the trials and tribulations endured by Hill or Galloway.

Jenner made a conscious decision to make a dramatic, life-altering change. Hill and Galloway did not, though an argument could be made for the latter that he knew what he was getting into with his service. Ultimately, ESPN dropped the ball and missed a golden opportunity to bestow such an important award on someone who was much more deserving. In my opinion, Jenner is not that person who should be given the award.

Thoughts?

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 6 at 2015 8:08 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 20:08:49 -0400

SSgt Charles Edwards, I decided a long time ago to consider ESPN nothing more than a means to watch games and events that I wish to see. I don't watch any of their talk shows (but for College GameDay), and I have no respect for any of their decisions such as the one you describe. It's a network that has their own agenda (IMHO), and I'm not going to let them direct my traffic.

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jun 6 at 2015 11:20 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Sat, 06 Jun 2015 23:20:57 -0400

The cowardly lion has more courage than Bruce Jenner.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 7 at 2015 7:53 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 07:53:25 -0400

Caitlyn ne Bruce Jenner has not been a competing athlete for decades so honoring her with a courage award is nothing more than playing to media frenzy, IMHO.

BTW notice the whole issue of the traffic accident where her car hit another and killed the occupant has fallen by the wayside. Wonder why that is? Is SHE not responsible because only HE was there at the time or would it be an all too convenient black eye that makeup needed to cover? Hmm...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2015 6:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 18:25:22 -0400

Hi, Staff Sergeant Edwards.

Like the Nobel Committee awarding President Obama the Peace Prize before he even had a chance to change the voicemail settings in the Oval Office, ESPN seized on an opportunity to get some press coverage. That's it.

The other two deserved it more, although I'm certain neither of them did it for the recognition. Bruce was just a bigger name.

And, really, what good are honors from such people?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 8 at 2015 9:38 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 09:38:54 -0400

ESPN lost all credibility when they brought on Rush Limbaugh to comment way back in the day, but told him they didn't want any social speeches. Well, when he made a social-type comment, they fired him. Now look at the network. Its all about social commentary. They have to find a way to sneak in a social topic at some point during the broadcast.

Stick to sports. There are enough 24-hr news channels for social commentary already.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Sep 15 at 2015 1:06 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:06:34 -0400

It was a sham to show that they support the transgender population.
Jenner has not competed as an athlete since the 1970's nor has he even been involved with athletics, as least as far as I know, for years now.
I don't see the courage that everyone is talking about from the athletic standpoint, from a personal standpoint yeah I can see the courage to do something like this but not from an athletic standpoint.
I am certain there are many other athletes, current or retired who have done more for sports then Jenner has ever done.
ESPN is looking for something to show its support for transgendered people but they screwed up on this.