2020 ESPYS: Kevin Love wins Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, proud fans want him to run for office after NBA
The 2020 ESPYS saw Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers presented with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his work in destigmatizing mental health issues. Matthew McConaughey introduced Love saying the star earned the honor for his guidance, wisdom and courage. He added Love was "someone looks themselves in the mirror, accepts that everything is not perfect, and finds the strength to say that out to the world."
On accepting the award, Love said: "Humbled does not even begin to describe the feeling... I accept this award as both an honor and a challenge. A challenge to not only continue on my path, but to push beyond it, and to stay vocal, even when silence feels safer." You can watch the speech here:
"Humbled does not even begin to describe the feeling."@kevinlove delivers a heartfelt speech after winning the 2020 Arthur Ashe Courage Award for his commitment to growing mental health awareness. #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/EjQdm34ZjD
— ESPN (@espn) June 22, 2020
Fans on Twitter shared their thoughts on Love's award. "Bro. I swear Demar derozen spoke about this before and Royce White. Congratulations on the award," a fan wrote. "Proud to have KLove as a @cavsplayer, but I think he's a better person," a fan opined. "We love you Kevin!..so proud of you!!! " a fan aid. "Well deserved. Congrats, Kevin." and "Congratulations" were the most common tweets. "Kevin Love is a very nice person. Very deserving of this award. He should run for public office when he retires," a fan remarked.
Love was the recipient of international attention when he wrote an emotional 2018 essay in the Players Tribune that divulged he had a panic attack during a game in 2017.
"Congrats, Kevin Love! There are not enough people who talk about mental health today. I love you!" a fan tweet read. "Thank You For Acknowledging Demar DeRozan," a fan exclaimed. In related news, Boxing champion Kim Clavel was awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service. The 29-year-old was given the honor after her decision to leave the sport and return to work as a nurse amid the coronavirus outbreak. Actress Halle Berry introduced Clavel before the athlete received her award.
Hosts Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, OL Reign wing, and former Portland Pilot Megan Rapinoe and Seattle Storm point guard Sue Bird hosted the virtual event on ESPN.
