Late NBA pioneer Jason Collins was honored at the 2026 ESPYs ... and his twin brother, Jarron -- who accepted an award on his behalf -- tells TMZ Sports the moment was truly humbling.
Jason passed away earlier this year from an aggressive form of brain cancer ... and was recognized on Wednesday for his contributions to the league ... most notably, becoming the first openly gay active player in major pro sports.
After a video documented his groundbreaking announcement in 2013, it then pivoted to his brave health battle ... and the impact he left behind.
Calling all you mighty Millennials, ballin' Boomers, groovy Gen X-ers, and everyone else ... We're tappin' y'all into Gen-Z's hottest stories of the week, packed with sexy stars and piping-hot news!
Mike Tyson had his world flipped upside down at the ESPYs ... when he learned in real time Shohei Ohtani -- the biggest star in Major League Baseball -- is a man.
"Shohei's a guy?"
Mike Tyson awarded Shohei Ohtani the ESPY for best single-game performance, but had one very important question afterwards pic.twitter.com/sdDZFW0dwS@JomboyMedia
Iron Mike, Jake Paul and DJ Khaled presented the award for best single-game performance at Wednesday's event ... and when El Gallo said the Dodgers slugger sent "his gratitude and appreciation" for the win, Tyson's jaw dropped.
Right before the crowd clapped for Ohtani, who was not present for the ceremony, Tyson is heard on the hot mic asking his former boxing opponent if Sho-Time was really a dude.
The "Saturday Night Live" star/Wednesday night's host took the stage at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City ... and used the opportunity to throw silly zingers at Jake Paul, Jalen Brunson, the entire WNBA and more.
The biggest laughs of the 10-minute speech came at the expense of Tiger and Bill ... with Hernández joking the golf superstar will be on the cover of the next "Grand Theft Auto" video game, a clear shot at his March DUI rollover crash and arrest.
The ESPYs are here ... which means we get to see our favorite sports stars out of uniform and lookin' their best!
Simone Biles spoiled us by giving us a look at her gorgeous gams as she arrived at the David H. Koch Theater at NYC's Lincoln Center. She looked simply stunning in her champagne gown, which fabulously flaunted her assets.
Ilona Maherwas a wonder in white, dropping jaws in her strapless dress and showing the Big Apple just how sexy it is to be strong.
Before this lil' gymnast turned into an Olympic champion, she was just stretching and conditioning, looking up to Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson ... and competing in gymnastics when she was just a young kid ...
She's the 2020 All-Around Olympic Gold Medalist, and if you're still unsure who she is ... she won the 2025 ESPY for Best Comeback!
The ESPYs are where sports history comes alive -- a star-studded celebration of the athletes, moments, and milestones that captured the world’s attention throughout the year ...
Check out the gallery-- From jaw-dropping performances and unforgettable victories to emotional speeches and legendary champs, the ESPYs honor the legends who pushed the limits and changed the game, pun intended 😜
Relive the energy, the excitement, and the defining moments that made sports history in this ultimate collection of ESPYs greatness!!!
The 2026 ESPSYs are goin' down tomorrow, so we're throwin' it back to this ESPY winner, soccer legend Mia Hamm!
Hamm's soccer reign peaked from the 1990s through the early 2000s, cementing her status as one of the sport's all-time greats. Some of her standout accomplishments include winning two FIFA Women's World Cups, two Olympic gold medals, and five ESPY Awards.
Before this cute kid in green overalls was a 3-time ESPY winner, she was just starting to skii at 2 years old, admiring Olympic gold medalist ski racer Picabo Street and gearing up for the Olympics.
This talented star competed in five winter games and managed to grab one gold and two bronzes ... She took home two ESPSYs in 2010 and another in 2011.
Theo Von seems disillusioned with the American government right now ... arguing it feels like politicians aren't serving the people like they should be, while giving a few thoughts on the Gaza War and the Epstein files controversy.
We caught up with the comedian at LAX Thursday ... and, we asked him about what he would ask President Donald Trump if the Commander-in-Chief came back on his podcast "This Past Weekend."
Remember ... Trump went on his podcast for a chat back in August, before the election, where he dove into a whole bunch of different topics -- including a discussion about cocaine.
Shane Gillis dominated headlines Thursday morning after his -- hilarious to some, infuriating to others -- ESPYS monologue ... and TMZ Sports has learned the folks at ESPN aren't entertaining what the naysayers are spewin'.
A source with direct knowledge tells us … ESPN appreciated all of Shane's hard work on the show ... which included a live monologue that poked fun at several high-profile athletes, including Caitlin Clark and Megan Rapinoe. He also had some Epstein and Diddy quips during his time on stage.
One of the most popular/unpopular jokes ... "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."
While Shedeur Sanders was targeted with some friendly jabs from Shane Gillis at the ESPYS, the Browns quarterback was busy giving back to kids in the Cleveland community.
The annual sports awards show went down on Wednesday night at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles ... and the host didn't hold back with his time on the mic, and at one point set his sights on Sanders' Colorado jersey number retirement.
Nobody safe from Shane Gillis
“Shedeur Sanders had his Jersey # retired at Colorado this year. People are saying it's because of nepotism because of his father, it’s not; it’s because he went 13-12 over his career & he almost won the Alamo Bowl” 😭
Lindsey Vonn found herself on the thong side of fashion at the ESPYS on Wednesday ... when a gust of wind caused her to suffer a wardrobe malfunction right on the award show's red carpet.
Vonn rocked a purple, strapless dress for ESPN's annual bash in Hollywood ... and while she looked amazing -- a strong breeze ended up exposing a bit more of her bod than she had intended.
Her underwear was out in full view of photogs as her thigh-high split blew apart -- but fortunately for the skiing legend, someone raced in to help her cover up until the wind died down.
Shane Gillis just lit up the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles with some spicy jokes as part of his ESPYS hosting duties ... taking aim at several superstar athletes, including Caitlin Clark.
The 37-year-old comedian grabbed the microphone to kick off ESPN's annual award show ... and he held no punches, touching on plenty of hot-button topics.
