In an effort to cultivate sports discussion here at Blogcritics.org, every day I will highlight one ESPY Award and its nominees, leading up to the taping of the 2006 ESPY Awards on July 12. Weighing the options, I will ultimately pick a winner for reasons unknown to anyone, especially me. Dissent from the commenting masses is not only encouraged, but mandatory.
Best Championship Performance
Vince Young, quarterback, U. of Texas - His 30-of-40 passing for 267 yards, 200 yards rushing, and three touchdowns led the Longhorns to a 41-38 victory over USC in the Rose Bowl for the national championship.
Venus Williams, tennis - The queen of tennis won the 2005 Wimbledon tournament against top-seeded Lindsay Davenport in the longest finals match in tourney history, 4-6, 7-6 (6-4), 9-7. She didn't lose a set until that final match, including a semifinal match of defending Wimbledon champ Maria Sharapova.
Sam Hornish, Jr., Indy Racing League - The native of Defiance, Ohio came back from fourth place with five laps to go to win the Indianapolis 500. In his final move on the backstretch of the final lap, he passed Marco Andretti by (literally) a nose to win the second-closest finish in Indy 500 history.
Dwyane Wade, guard, Miami Heat - Named the MVP of the NBA Finals, Wade averaged over 34 points, leading his franchise to its first ever championship over the Dallas Mavericks in six games, including overcoming a 2-0 deficit.
Now we're getting into rarified air. There are no emotional, feel-good stories for the little guy. This award is reserved for champions. And all four of these folks are deserving champions.
Sure, they all showed moments of brilliance. But, it wasn't until they were on the brink of defeat did they rise to the occasion unlike any time in their careers.
Vince Young kept his team in the game against USC, but with all the stats he piled up the lasting impression will be his 4th-and-8 run into the endzone for the winning touchdown with less than a minute remaining.
Article comments
1 - Jared
I'm going to take Wade here, but I don't have any evidence to really refute your selection. For me it's mostly my indifference towards racing. My defense of Wade mostly stems from his being a series long accomplishment, where all the others save Williams were one day performances. Not that it's their fault, but seeing Wade's dominance over those last four games was impressive, much as I didn't enjoy watching it.
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
I think Wade's gonna run away with it because his championship is fresh in our minds. We are the most removed from Venus's Wimbledon, as hers was the only championship won in '05.
Hornish's did happen in a day, though, interesting point. Vince Young, however, had to play his tail off for about a dozen games to reach the Rose Bowl.
3 - Q Bit
Wade ..
am biased.
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
Aren't we all?