Caitlyn Jenner To Receive Arthur Ashe Courage Award At ESPYs
LOS ANGELES (CBSNewYork/AP) — Caitlyn Jenner will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPY Awards for her bravery for publicly coming out as a transgender woman.
The honor is given to individuals whose contributions transcend sports. It will be presented July 15 at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
"In the past few months, the overwhelming outpouring of support from all over the world for my journey has been incredible," Jenner said in a statement. "However, being honored with this award, which is named after one of my heroes, is truly special. For the first time this July, I will be able to stand as my true self in front of my peers."
Jenner confirmed Monday in Vanity Fair magazine that the former Olympian champion and reality star previously known as Bruce Jenner is now known as Caitlyn Jenner.
ESPY Awards show producer Maura Mandt said Jenner's coming out "can help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces."
Previous winners of the award include tennis player Billie Jean King, football player Michael Sam, the late basketball coach Dean Smith, and ABC broadcaster Robin Roberts.
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