Alabama Nominated for Three ESPY Awards
ESPN released the nominees for the 2021 ESPY Awards on Wednesday morning, with Alabama nominated for three awards, including two nominations for DeVonta Smith.
After a perfect 13-0 season, Alabama earned an ESPY nomination for best team. The Tide earned the program's sixth national championship after a 52-24 victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes. This is Alabama's fifth nomination and has never won the best team award. The Heisman Trophy winner is up for best male college athlete and best recording-breaking performance from Smith's first-half performance in the national championship game. In addition, former Alabama RB Derrick Henry is up for the best NFL player after rushing over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns last season with the Titans.
Best Team:
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL
- Stanford Cardinal, NCAA Women's Basketball
- Baylor Bears, NCAA Men's Basketball
- Alabama Crimson Tide, NCAA Football
- Oklahoma Sooners, NCAA Softball
- Seattle Storm, WNBA
- Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB
Best College Athlete, Men's Sports:
- Glorie Amanda, Oregon State Soccer
- Luke Garza, Iowa Basketball
- Trevor Lawrence, Clemson Football
- DeVonta Smith, Alabama Football
Best Record-Breaking Performance:
- Tara Vanderveer, Stanford: Passes Pat Summit for most wins in NCAA Women's Basketball history.
- DeVonta Smith, Alabama: Sets record for CFP title game catces (12), adds 3 touchdown receptions, 215 yards.
- Phil Mickelson, PGA Championship: Becomes oldest winner of a major tournament at 50.
- Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards: Breaks Oscar Robertson's 47-year-old triple-double record.
Best NFL Player:
- Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
- Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
- Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Voting is open on ESPN and will close at 8 p.m. EST on Friday, July 9th. The ESPYS will air Saturday, July 10th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, hosted by Anthony Mackie.
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