It’s safe to say that the presentation of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award to Caitlyn Jenner at Wednesday night’s ESPY awards boosted the ratings for the show as much as it created controversy. Nothing against Jenner, but after hearing Devon Still accept the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award on behalf of his 5-year-old daughter, we’d prefer Leah Still take home the Courage Award as well.
Leah was scheduled to attend the ceremony but was warned not to travel due to a compromised immune system. Her father’s powerful speech sent tears flowing and #LeahStrong trending, though.
"Sorry I couldn't be there everybody but thank you for supporting me while I beat up cancer." #LeahStrong @ESPYS pic.twitter.com/jMBQLtIFED
— Lean In (@LeanInOrg) July 16, 2015
Devon Still accepts the Jimmy V Perseverance Award on behalf of his daughter, Leah Still. #LeahStrong pic.twitter.com/foVL2ANAdG
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 16, 2015
Courage? Courage is a 4 year old little girl who is going to chemotherapy while her friends are watching cartoons. #LeahStrong
— Hutch (@hutchheuristics) July 16, 2015
Congratulations to @Dev_Still71 on accepting the @ESPYS #JimmyV award tonight. #LeahStrong is #StillStrong. @Bengals #ESPYS
— John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) July 16, 2015
Instant tears. #ESPYS #leahstrong
— Natalie Egenolf (@NatalieEgenolf) July 16, 2015
There go my allergies again *sniffle* #LeahStrong #ESPYS
— Adrienne Winston (@AdrienneCNN) July 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/DianneG/status/621493628221919232
Real tears already man…wow. #ESPYS #LeahStrong
— YoungWorldChanger (@CalebCastille) July 16, 2015
Oh gosh. Here come the waterworks…#ESPYS #LeahStrong
— Allie Bernal (@abernal2) July 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/JillDawsonJ/status/621494455791587329
That little girl is already a stronger person than I'll ever be. #LeahStrong #ESPYS
— PeytonsHead (Retired) (@BigHeadBS) July 16, 2015
Can tell you that a lot of people in here are on the verge of tears #LeahStrong #ESPYS
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) July 16, 2015
It's extremely hard not get teary eyed watching this testimony #LeahStrong
— Valentino Blake (@ZillaMane41) July 16, 2015
Definitely in tears now listening to Devon Still talk about his daughter, Leah. #LeahStrong pic.twitter.com/ovbnwa3tkc
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) July 16, 2015
Devon Still with the speech of the year. 100% real. Praying for Leah. #LeahStrong
— Kevin Negandhi (@KNegandhiESPN) July 16, 2015
WOW. @Dev_Still71. Y'all can end the #ESPYS RIGHT NOW. He has shut it down with this speech. Thank y'all for coming. Good night. #LeahStrong
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) July 16, 2015
Love Bro!! #LeahStrong #FCancer https://t.co/Mwq3TNp5PV
— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 16, 2015
#LeahStill is the real MVP! That's who the #ArthurAsheAward should really go to! #TrueCourage #LeahStrong
— Kendall Parker (@Kendall_P_87) July 16, 2015
<wiping eyes> It must be really dusty here in my office#LeahStrong http://t.co/xt71qi4Jr3
— Will Da Beast (@willbot) July 16, 2015
The #LeahStrong segment of the #ESPYS has me emotionally drained. That little girl has more strength and courage than most grown men.
— Yves Batoba (@YBatoba) July 16, 2015
https://twitter.com/Raasshhboo/status/621531750024351744
I loved the story about Leah & how she going to beat up cancer. I think she deserved the courage award too #LeahStrong
— ☆ Megan ☆ (@XO_CBx2) July 16, 2015
#Leahstrong was the moment of the night #espyawards
— Norton Roksenn (@Dreharvey6137) July 16, 2015
I just watched Devon and Leah Still at the ESPY's, and I'm in tears. That right there, is real courage. Inspirational. #LeahStrong
— Nick C. (@NickoToGo) July 16, 2015
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Related:
Patriots pay tribute to Bengals’ Devon Still and daughter fighting cancer [pics, Vine]
NFL: Bengals re-sign Devon Still to help pay for his daughter’s cancer treatment
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