The Red Carpet of the 2009 ESPYs was the place to be to get up close and personal with some of your favorite athletes. BlackSportsOnline was on the scene on a very bright and very hot day in Los Angeles.
One of the first people I was able to speak to was fellow Ohio State Alumni Santonio Holmes. At first we chatted a bit about the life and times on High Street in Columbus, Oh, but then got down to whether the Steelers could repeat. Santonio said he was looking forward to the upcoming season and believes that this could truly be his break out year.
One of the stranger moments happened when Mike Tyson came over to do an interview with the TV network Versus who were stationed next to us. Mike even at his age and way past his prime still seems to scare everyone around him. He did manage to say that he didn't consider himself "an actor" even after his hilarious take on "The Hangover". It appeared to me that he was about one more question away from punching the cameraman, but luckily that was avoided.
For all you fantasy football geeks remember the name Ramses Barden. He is a rookie wide receiver from the New York Giants and is physically the spitting image of Plaxico Burress. He is 6'6" 227 pounds with arms longer than Scottie Pippen. Besides not getting shot in the leg he informed us that Eli Manning is quite a practical joker and a lot cooler than many people give him credit for.
Blake Griffin says he doesn't believe in the "Clippers Curse" much to the chagrin of ESPN's Bill Simmons. He definitely has a "star" look about him. Says the he is enjoying his time in LA.
ATL rapper Bobby Ray (aka B.O.B. http://www.myspace.com/bobatl ) said he thought doing the ESPYs could be a stepping stone to launch his career and was honored to be in attendance. He did his mega hit "I'll Be In The Sky" which received a great reaction from the crowd.
The most surprising guest of the evening had to be Condoleezza Rice. I just couldn't wrap my mind around it.
From Serena and Venus to Kobe and Vanessa the stars were shining bright at the Nokia center. Samuel L. Jackson did a magnificent job of being the host and his "Twitter" & "Sportscenter" skits are destine to become instant classics.
Definitely a wonderful experience and ESPN once again put on an outstanding show. I was a privileged and honored to attend and I am already looking forward to next year.
The 2009 ESPYs co-presented by Under Armour and Land Rover to be televised Sunday, July 19 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPN HD.
I also wanted to give you some information on some of the more touching moments of the event, but definitely be sure to watch.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award -- which recognizes individuals whose contributions transcend sports -- was awarded to Nelson Mandela, with a special taped message from President Barack Obama followed by a presentation by Serena and Venus Williams to his daughter Zindzi Mandela and grandson Zondwa Mandela. President Nelson Mandela, who at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa delighted black and white sports fans across the country by wearing a Springbok rugby shirt and cap, presented the William Webb Ellis Cup to South African captain Francois Pienaar following the victory of the host team. This iconic gesture helped to unite a previously divided nation through a shared passion for sport, and further cemented the transition from apartheid to democracy. The Arthur Ashe Courage Award coincides with Mandela Day, which will fall on July 18th, Nelson Mandela's birthday. Mandela Day will act as a global call to action for people to recognize their individual power to make an imprint and help change the world around them for the better.
In another emotional moment, Northern State University basketball coach Don Meyer was presented the Jimmy V ESPY for Perseverance, in honor of the late Jim Valvano and The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Meyer refused to give up on life while battling cancer and surviving a major car crash in the same year.
One last thing. Any awards show that invited the Iron Sheik is cool with me.
That is a good look. Looks like you were having fun
I thought this site was anti-espn/big media and Rob is cheesing it up? Was this bso covering the espys or Robert Littal spectating. Let us know.