Shane Gillis' ESPYS Monologue Sparks Controversy and Laughter
Shane Gillis took the stage as host of the ESPYS, delivering an opening monologue that quickly became a topic of discussion among sports fans and celebrities alike. The atmosphere in the Dolby Theatre shifted as he began to address the star-studded audience.
Gillis kicked off his routine by acknowledging notable figures in attendance, including WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, who was set to receive the Icon Award. However, he stumbled by mispronouncing her name as "Deanna," prompting a visible reaction from Taurasi, who shook her head in disapproval. "My bad on that," Gillis remarked, attempting to recover from the blunder.
He then turned his attention to WNBA standout Caitlin Clark, who was absent from the event. "When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she's going to work at a Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most: fist fighting Black women," he quipped. The audience's response was mixed; laughter mingled with discomfort.
For ten minutes, Gillis pressed on, weaving in jokes about high-profile figures like Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, whose controversies have captured national attention. His humor drew a spectrum of reactions on social media, with some praising his comedic style while others labeled it as "cringey."
One of his more successful jokes involved North Carolina coach Bill Belichick and his much younger girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. "A bookie is what Bill Belichick reads to his girlfriend before bedtime," he joked, referencing children's books with a risqué twist. The crowd responded positively, but the mood shifted as he continued.
Gillis made a controversial remark about Belichick's success and personal life, suggesting that if others had won six Super Bowls, they might not be "sitting next to a fat, ugly dog wife." He later acknowledged that this part of his routine may have crossed a line.
NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was present, and Gillis made light of the situation by saying, "SGA is here. Everybody sitting around him is in foul trouble." He also referenced a classic joke from Norm MacDonald’s 1998 ESPYS hosting stint, which he claimed to love despite calling it "dumb."
In a nod to Colorado's Travis Hunter winning the Heisman Trophy, Gillis remarked, "That's something they can never take away from you unless you kill your wife and a waiter," referencing O.J. Simpson's infamous history.
As he wrapped up his segment, Gillis acknowledged the mixed reception: "I see a lot of you don't like me and that's OK. That's it for me. That went about exactly how we all thought it was going to go. I don't know why this happened." His self-awareness seemed to resonate with some attendees.
Gillis also performed a skit about the "tush push," a play popularized by the Philadelphia Eagles that faced scrutiny from the NFL. Joined by comedian Druski and others, he humorously critiqued teams that voted against the play, labeling them as "cowards." Afterward, he bantered with Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni about the skit.
In a poignant moment during the ceremony, Katie Schumacher-Cawley accepted the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance alongside her family. The Penn State women's volleyball coach shared her battle with Stage 2 breast cancer while continuing to lead her team to success. "Cancer changed my life, but it didn't take it," she stated emphatically.
The evening also celebrated various achievements in sports, with the Indianapolis Colts recognized for their Kicking the Stigma campaign aimed at mental health awareness. Sloane Stephens received the Muhammad Ali award for her foundation promoting inclusivity in tennis. Michele Kang was honored as Sports Philanthropist of the Year, while Billy Bean received a posthumous award for his contributions to baseball.
