The Most Inspirational Moments From the 2016 ESPYs

It was an emotional and inspirational Wednesday evening on the televised 2016 ESPY Awards. While the evening was a celebration of athletic achievements, it was also an opportunity for voices to be heard.

Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony cold-opened the awards show asking their fellow athletes to help stop the violence that is plaguing our country.

Zenobia Dobson echoed the NBA stars’ sentiments while receiving the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for her deceased son, Zaevion, a 15-year-old who was killed shielding two girls from gunfire and was an innocent victim of senseless violence. Dobson addressed the athletes and celebrities in the room, saying, “I urge you to think tonight about why he died and what you can do tomorrow to prevent the next innocent man or woman from being lost as well.”

And just when everyone’s eyes had started to dry from the story of brave Zaevion, Craig Sager was given the Jimmy V Award. Sager is a beloved sideline reporter who is known for his outlandish outfits and kind heart. Unfortunately he is also battling leukemia, but he is not letting it win, saying, “I will continue to keep fighting, sucking the marrow out of life as life sucks the marrow out of me. I will live my life full of love and full of fun. It’s the only way I know how.”

There were many inspirational moments during the three-hour show, which helped make the 2016 ESPYs the best yet.

See the funniest moments from the 2016 ESPYs:

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