Better late than never, eh? And it's also Throwback Thursday, so the timing is on purpose too! Last week, the ESPYs honored the latest and greatest in sports and I got the privilege of being on the red carpet for that. I did not get inside but hey, I saw a good amount of athletes (and celebrities)! I will gladly share the pictures I took and tell you about each of them. I will also apologize in advance for my poor quality photos. Just remember that everyone looked 1,000x better than portrayed here! So let's get it on! David Ross, Retired Baseball Player/Team Grandpa for 2016 World Series Champion Cubs If you dislike David Ross, then you're wrong. I am sorry but there is nothing to dislike about this wonderful man. He placed third on Dancing With the Stars, something many of us did not expect since no Major Leaguers have done it before (the timing is always off!). He is very relatable because you feel like he could be your dad or your cool uncle that comes around during the holidays and makes the best jokes (the ones that are funny and then the ones that you laugh to only because you love him). On a historically amazing team, he stuck out in his way of being the guy on that team that was on his final stretch of his career and was not one of the massive stars. It was great to see him because I definitely liked watching him in the World Series and seeing his personality throughout the final season on Instagram. In person, he did not disappoint and he was kind enough to show up early to do interviews and to acknowledge the crowd! That's a big thing because some athletes blow off the media and/or fans altogether at these events. So, great job to Mr. Ross for being so nice and great! Gatorade Athletes of the Year: MacKenzie Gore (Baseball) and Sydney McLaughlin (Track) McLaughlin is on the rise to say the least. Some of you may remember her as the 17 year-old on the U.S. track team in the Rio Olympics who did the 400 meter hurdles race. First off, a 17 year-old on the U.S. track team is nearly unheard of since that hasn't happened in 36 years (for the boycotted Moscow Games). Also, she qualified for the hardest race out there. Some may choose a distance event, but doing one lap around involves so much endurance because you are sprinting the whole thing and there is nothing left at the end. Now throw in some obstacles every few steps and that is a new level that few want to do. McLaughlin did not medal but when she's 21 in the next Olympics, if she's healthy, she will get a medal for sure. I can't predict the color but I know what she's capable of. What also is great about her is that she won this award last year as well, so she's been the best in high school for two years now but she's always generated good attention while on her school's team. Make sure to watch her with the University of Kentucky because she will be doing 100 meter hurdles and high jump there. It's nice to see an athlete turn down money to go to school because that's a rare thing these days. MacKenzie Gore was drafted by the San Diego Padres as third overall and just recently made his professional debut in the Arizona League. He signed for a club-record $6.7 million, which is a lot for anyone his age and anyone in the country. Gore did well in his debut and will be one to watch as he hopes to keep on climbing his way to the Majors and will hopefully make his debut with the Padres. You never know though, he could be put in a trade deal if he becomes one of the prospects to watch and ends up on a decent team. Only time can tell. Laurie Hernandez, Gold Medalist in Gymnastics and One of America's Five Sweethearts If this picture doesn't accurately describe Laurie Hernandez, I have to put up a different one of her smiling or doing her amazing floor routine. She is exactly what they told you on TV, a total sweetheart. She took time for pictures with fans (which is most likely what she is doing in this picture) and was receptive to her adoring fans on the carpet. She also did media interviews, which most of the gymnasts excelled at. I wish she would have won the award for Best Breakthrough Athlete (no offense to Mr. Prescott) because she had her first big international competition last year. Having the Olympics as your first competition overseas is nothing less than the highest honor ever. Her beam routine earned the U.S. a bronze medal and helped them win the team gold medal. Everyone was crucial to the most successful team in U.S. history and Laurie had a huge part. At 16, she showed up and was not too nervous to compete, when she could have been. Instead she made the most out of it and always had a smile on her face. I will always be her fan. Michael Phelps, the Best Olympian Ever It definitely was cool to see a legend in person because that is something to tell others for years. This man has gone through a lot in his career and it is great to see him back here when he was close to skipping out on the Games in Rio. I am glad that he refocused his life because you always want the best for your sports heroes. Now onto something more light! These guys that came out of the show were just in awe and were telling eachother, 'Dude, Michael Phelps was right by us!' 'I know!' 'We were like so close to him!'. I don't think they got a picture, but if they did then good for them! They still get bragging rights! P.K. Subban, Cut to the Only Hockey Player There Not going to lie, he was probably one of the athletes I was most excited to see. I love hockey so much and I will gladly embrace almost any hockey player in an award show filled with numerous football and basketball players. I was so glad he showed up because he makes hockey look fun to nonhockey fans and then maybe they want to watch it for him. I want the game to grow and he is definitely helping with his wonderful personality that shows that fun people can exist in hockey as well (once you get more into it, you realize how special and underappreciated all hockey players are!). He wore one of his nice suits, which is great because he has the best style in the game and he should not conform his style for any event. He was nice in his interviews and he did say hello to us (I would not stop screaming so he had to do something). Overall, seeing Mr. Subban was a nice breath of fresh air because we all could use some hockey in our lives. Simone Biles, The Greatest of All Time and 2/5 of America's Sweethearts Simone is the definition of these awards because she embodied one of the best performances ever. She probably is the best gymnast to ever compete and no one can be in the air like her. It was wonderful to see her receive such a warm reception and everyone wanted her picture and her time for an interview. She gave it to them and was nice to all. She is a great rolemodel and already is a legend for gymnastics and U.S. sports. Julian Edelman, The One Behind 'The Catch' Here you see the carpet at its height of madness and if you look in the center you can find Julian Edelman, wide receiver for the Super Bowl Champion New England Patriots. Edelman was actually very nice, despite how some of America feels about the Patriots. He took time to notice the people yelling out his name and waved to them. That's all it takes but sometimes it doesn't happen with some famous people. Anyways, Edelman had another great year with the Patriots and of course, had a catch for the ages at the Super Bowl which saved New England and well, angered Atlanta. That catch is one of the many reasons why New England won and also one of the many highlights from that game. It will definitely be remembered years from now (that, and the 28 point comeback!) since all the other Super Bowls will mash together. As the guy behind me said, 'Jules nodded at me! I can die now!'. I hope he's still alive though... The Currys, Power to the Couple Beside every great champion is one of our favorite chefs and personalities. Seeing both walk together was great because I was as excited to see her as I was to see him. Both have their large followings and say what you want about Ayesha, but I like her. She's very nice and just seems like a cool person. Steph is also a nice guy and was classy with fans on the carpet asking for autographs and pictures. He definitely is one of the good parts of the NBA and I am glad that they are showing that more. He's a good guy and people want to be like him. So, 'Nice guys finish last' may be irrelevant with him... Thanks for following along and I hope to return again! When that time comes, if any of you want to know the secret of getting there, let me know! Until then, let's enjoy what we can!
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AuthorHi, I'm Jenna and I'm a sports fan! I've been avidly watching sports since 2011 because I found that by watching sports, I would be able to communicate with my dad and brother better. Ever since I got into sports, I've been able to enjoy myself more when I go to sporting events with my family. Archives
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