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 Play
(This award is fun, because I get to embed the hell out of YouTube Videos.)
Nathan Vasher, defensive back, Chicago Bears - Set an NFL record with a 108-yard missed field goal return for touchdown in a win against the San Francisco 49ers.
Tyrone Prothro, wide receiver, Alabama - Caught the ball behind the defender's back for a 43-yard gain in a victory against Southern Miss.
David Wright, third baseman, New York Mets - Tracked down a bloop fly ball from Brian Giles and made a barehanded basket catch in a loss to the San Diego Padres.
(Not on YouTube or Google Video, but you can still watch it if you have Windows Media Player.)
Aaron Rowand, center fielder, Philadelphia Phillies - Made a running catch over his shoulder, crashing into the centerfield wall, saving multiple runs from scoring and breaking his nose in the process in a win over the New York Mets.
Reggie Bush, running back, USC - Bounced off a pile of defenders en route to a 84-yard punt return for touchdown in a win vs. U. of Washington.
(Can't find the video anywhere, making it the one Reggie Bush highlight not found anywhere.)
All right. We have three plays dubbed "the best catch you will ever see" and two categorized as "the best touchdown you will ever see."
Bush's touchdown, while I vaguely recall it, is amazing. But Bush is amazing. He'll win an auditorium full of ESPY's when his career his over. So I can eliminate that play and not feel guilty.
![MLB - Maximum Bloopers & Amazing Plays [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51A3C8WY73L._SL120_.jpg)
Article comments
1 - DJRadiohead
I was at the Alabama/Southern Miss game when Prothro made that incredible catch. Unfortunately, I was at the opposite end of the field from the play so highlights were what finally helped me to fully realize what an amazing catch that was. For me, it tops the Antonio Freeman catch on Monday Night Football as the greatest catch I have ever seen (I wasn't in person for that one though).
2 - Matthew T. Sussman
On some slow news week we will have to debate that. I'll take Freeman's catch because of all the bounces it took, PLUS it won the game on national TV and stupefied Al Michaels.
3 - DJRadiohead
It would have been less impressive were it a tall receiver going over a short DB's back- in this instance it was a short receiver going over a taller DB's head.
As for the role in the game, 'Bama was losing at this point late in the first half and this play proved to be the turning point. Alabama went on to win that game.
I detest the ESPYs but that Prothro catch was truly the greatest catch I have ever seen.
4 - Matthew T. Sussman
(Checks stats)
Prothro was 5-8. The defender (Jasper Faulk) was 5-10. A skosh taller. I'll give you that.
But let's be real. If Prothro dropped that pass, was Alabama really gonna lose to Southern Miss, a team -- no disrespect here -- displaced and discombobulated from Hurricane Katrina?
5 - DJRadiohead
My understanding, btw, is that if Prothro is actually 5'8, well, you get the idea. 5'8 is not very tall, anyway. The degree matters but the simple act of the shorter guy coming back to the ball and reaching over the taller guy is just amazing. It is the greatest catch I have ever seen.
If you look at the way that game was being played, Alabama was down 10 and had given up 14 unaswered points in what I believe was only their second game of the season. Would Alabama have won anyway? I hope so but having been at the game I cannot say so unequivocally (they have beaten ALA at home in the past).
6 - DJRadiohead
Just watched it again... that was a 4th & 12 catch at the end of the first half down 11. What a catch. What a play.
I still hate the ESPYs.
7 - Q Bit
It's Reggie all over -- umm do we really need a debate here?
8 - DJRadiohead
That wasn't the best run of Bush's season, let alone the best play of the year.
9 - Matthew T. Sussman
The 90-degree turn vs. Fresno?
10 - DJRadiohead
That's the one I remember best, Suss. Plus he had a run against ND that was pretty spectacular, too.