2015 ESPYs: Caitlyn Jenner accepts Arthur Ashe Courage Award from Abby Wambach

Long before the ESPYs aired on ABC Wednesday night, headlines broke about Caitlyn Jenner receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. This is a trophy that has gone to many role models and inspiration figures over the years, and she was the latest one.

However, all you had to do is look online before and during the award being handed out to know that this was controversial. Many felt like the award should have been handed out to someone else. Meanwhile, others just did not want Caitlyn there at all. This is something that was referenced by Abby Wambach, fresh off of a memorable run in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, during her speech introducing Jenner tonight, citing specifics about how transgender people struggle.

The segment featuring Jenner’s career highlights and story was narrated by none other than Jon Hamm, who has become a great narrator for such things. The focus was primarily on her athletic career first, but it did move on eventually into her personal life. One thing that was especially interesting here is that the show really managed to avoid the word “Kardashian” at almost all cost, skimping over most of that part of her life.

Jenner received a lengthy amount of airtime after accepting her speech, and in that she chose to highlight and specifically mention all of the issues that are currently impacting the transgender community. She wanted to be an inspiration to others, and perhaps the most poignant moment was when she said to leave you transgender people alone. She wanted to protect them, and felt she could take the negativity that came her way.

What did you think of the acceptance speech and the segment all around Jenner? Share with a comment, and head over here to get some other TV news on all we cover, courtesy of our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ABC.)