Octagon First Call

2011 ESPY Awards

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The Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles opened its doors to the world’s most elite athletes last night for the 19^th running of the ESPY Awards, co-presented by Capital One and Castrol Edge.  SNL star Seth Meyers hosted the award show for the second consecutive year and honored the athletic achievements of individuals and teams with a few laughs.  The star studded event walked fans through the greatest sports stories and moments of the year. 

Here are some of our favorite moments of the evening…

• Tim Tebow and Brooklyn Decker presented the Best Female Athlete award to repeat winner, the world's top female speed skier, Lindsay Vonn.  She graciously thanked her family and friends and then promptly asked Justin Bieber to take a picture with her for her Facebook page.

• "The Dirk Nowitzki Academy for Awkward Basketball" skit is one of the night’s highlights. It’s always fun to see an athlete laugh at him or herself and let loose – furthering their brand appeal by being humble and personable.  Dirk proved that "The uglier the shot, the better the result" when he took home two ESPY's for Best NBA Player and Best Male Athlete.
  

  Dirk Nowitzki Accepting his ESPY Award

• Jimmer Fredette captivated basketball fans across the country this year as he lead the NCAA in points.  The BYU star followed up his NCAA Basketball Player of the Year award by taking the Best Male College Athlete at the ESPY’s.

• Abby Wambach's game-tying header against Brazil in the 2011 Women's World Cup was added just days before the ESPYs, but the play came away a big winner for the night. It took the award for Best Play. Team USA coming off of a win yesterday to advance to the World Cup final, is taking America by storm. Following this win, and a potential World Cup title, their marketability has jumped through the roof and we expect our phone to be ringing with inquiries for Wambach, Hope Solo, and others.

Here’s a complete list of the night’s winners.