ESPN honored Wednesday the most outstanding individual athletes, coaches and teams with its annual ESPY Awards.
Not only the most talented athletes and influential figures in sports are honored but some awards are earned by the athletes and coaches who, without a doubt, have changed the sports landscape and impacted many lives with their inspirational performances.
Miami Heat star LeBron James won three trophies including male athlete of the year for helping his team win the NBA championship. James wasn’t able to attend the 20th annual show honoring the year’s best athletes and moments in sports. He was in Las Vegas with the rest of the U.S. national team preparing for the London Olympics. James also won in the championship performance and NBA player categories.
Baylor basketball star Brittney Griner scooped two trophies, including female athlete of the year in which she beat out French Open champion Maria Sharapova, skier Lindsay Vonn and soccer player Abby Wambach.
Quarterback Robert Griffin III (a.k.a. RG3), who like Griner starred at Baylor, won male college athlete honors. Griner took female college athlete honors for leading the Lady Bears to a 40-0 record and the NCAA championship.
“Just excited. I wouldn’t be here without Title IX,” Griner said backstage. “Everything is just coming together and it feels good to be here.”
Here's the complete list of winners for the 2012 ESPY Awards:
Best Breakthrough Athlete: Jeremy Lin
Best Female Athlete: Brittney Griner
Best Record Breaking Performance: Drew Brees
Best Game: The 49ers vs. The Saints
Arthur Ashe Award: Pat Summitt
Best Comeback Athlete: Matthew Stafford
Best Upset: Los Angeles Kings
Best Play: Christian Watford
Best Moment: Tim Tebow
Best Male Athlete: LeBron James
Best Championship Performance: LeBron James
Best Coach/Manager: Tim Coughlin, New York Giants
Best International Athlete: Lionel Messi
Best NFL Player: Aaron Rogers
Best MLB Player: Josh Hamilton
Best NHL Player: Jonathan Quick
Best Driver: Tony Stewart
Best NBA Player: LeBron James
Best WNBA Player: Diana Taurasi
Best Fighter: Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Best Male Golfer: Bubba Watson
Best Female Golfer: Cristie Kerr
Best Male Tennis Player: Novak Djokovic
Best Female Tennis Player: Maria Sharapova
Best Male College Athlete: Robert Griffin III
Best Female College Athlete: Brittney Griner
Best Male Action Sports Athlete: Shaun White
Best Female Action Sports Athlete: Jamie Anderson
Best Jockey: Mario Gutierrez
Best Male Athlete With a Disability: Kyle Maynard
Best Female Athlete With a Disability: Jessica Long
Best Bowler: Sean Rash
Best MLS Player: David Beckham
Best Track & Field Athlete: Walter Dix
Best Team: Miami Heat
