NBC Sports anchor Bob Costas had strong words about ESPN’s choice of Caitlyn Jenner as the recipient of the 2015 Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYS next month.
The legendary broadcaster, who has been the prime-time host of nine Olympic games, slammed the choice of the gold medalist during an interview with “The Dan Patrick Show” on Monday.
“It strikes me that awarding the Arthur Ashe Award to Caitlyn Jenner is just a crass exploitation play — it’s a tabloid play,” Costas said. “In the broad world of sports, I’m pretty sure they could’ve found someone — and this is not anything against Caitlyn Jenner — who was much closer, actively involved in sports, who would’ve been deserving of what that award represents.
“That’s not to say it doesn’t take some measure of personal courage to do what Caitlyn Jenner has done,” he added.
Costas told Patrick, who is a former ESPN personality himself, he believes by choosing Jenner, the network was making a play for ratings.
“I think every year we look across the landscape of sports and we find prominent people and kids in high school and amateur athletes who I think more closely fit the description of what they’re looking for, or should be looking for there,” he said in a call to the sports show. “I think this is just a play to pump up [the] audience. The way lots of things are put on television to attract eyeballs, not because of the validity, but because of whatever the kind of gawker factor is.”
Despite his criticism, Costas said he wishes Jenner well and believes we are “moving toward a more tolerant society.
The former Olympian will receive the prestigious award during the ESPYS on July 15 on ABC.
In a statement earlier this month, ESPYS show producer Maura Mandt explained why Jenner was chosen to receive the honor.
“Bruce has received many accolades over the years for being one of the greatest Olympians of our time but the ESPYS are honored to celebrate Bruce becoming Caitlyn,” Mandt said. “She has shown the courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and to embark on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces.”
Costas is not the first person to disagree with ESPN’s choice, which sparked backlash across social media. Some people claimed that high school basketball player Lauren Hill, who devoted the final year of her life to raising awareness about cancer, or Iraq war veteran and double amputee Noah Galloway, who made a mark on “Dancing With the Stars,” were more deserving picks.
Past recipients of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award include Michael Sam, Robin Roberts and Pat Summitt.
Watch video from “The Dan Patrick Show” below.