It’s Caitlyn Jenner Not Lauren Hill For ESPY Award [Video]
Anger has arisen over the last-minute decision to honor Caitlyn Jenner’s courage over that of of 19-year-old basketball player Lauren Hill, who lost her battle with brain cancer on April 10, 2015.
After hearing she would win, Caitlyn tweeted, “What the hell am I going to wear?”
What the hell am I going to wear?http://t.co/HoXNQasAXM
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) June 2, 2015
It was announced that Caitlyn would receive this year’s Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPYs next month for her bravery. ESPN said they picked Jenner for “(showing) the courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and to embark on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces,” according to the New York Daily News.
Really @abc @ESPYS maybe you should look at the Lauren Hill story again! A true story of courage! #LaurenHillESPY pic.twitter.com/yprRBJJKQy
— Chris Fields (@chrisfields1964) June 3, 2015
Caitlyn is the new identity of Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner. Even though Jenner has yet to complete reassignment surgery, she graces this month’s cover of Vanity Fair.
Caitlyn is applauded for her bravery, but ESPN is being criticized by the public. Some are calling the decision to choose Jenner over Lauren Hill “an embarrassment”, according to Fox News, claiming Lauren deserves the award for continuing to play for the Mount St. Joseph basketball team despite her condition.
Fans also think Iraq veteran Noah Galloway should be up for the prize instead of Caitlyn. Galloway lost most of his arm and his leg fighting in Iraq, but is an extreme sport competitor. He also nearly won this season’s Dancing With the Stars despite his handicap.
Despite the anger that Hill wasn’t picked, ESPN is sticking to its decision. Officials told Fox News “many people are discussed every year. There is no such thing as a runner-up.” Officials provided Fox News with a written statement, stating that Jenner was chosen “to help move forward a constructive dialogue about progress and acceptance.”
Mount St. Joseph University women’s basketball coach Dan Benjamin, who coached Lauren Hill, said he would’ve voted for Lauren.”I can only speak for the journey I went on with Lauren. I cannot speak to anyone else’s. Of course, I want Lauren to get the award.”
Even though Caitlyn Jenner has been picked over Lauren Hill, Benjamin is committed to Lauren’s goal. “In Lauren’s words, if we can get closer to solving cancer, that would be the greatest award,” he said. “We’re biased here. We want to focus on Lauren’s mission to raise money and find a cure for DIPG (Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma) through the charity she supported TheCureStartsNow.org.”
[Image from YouTube]
