This was a surprising reaction from Bob Costas, who I figured my take the politically correct approach to the Caitlyn Jenner saga.
Costas is none to pleased about ESPN dubbing Jenner as the next recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs, calling the honor a “crass exploitation play.”
“I wish Caitlyn all the happiness in the world and all the peace of mind in the world. However, it strikes me that awarding the Arthur Ashe award to Caitlyn Jenner is just a crass exploitation play. It’s a tabloid play,” said Costas. “In the broad world of sports, I’m pretty sure they could have found — and this is not anything against Caitlyn Jenner — I’m pretty sure they could have found someone who was much closer to actively involved in sports, who would have been deserving of what that award represents.
That’s not to say that it doesn’t take some measure of personal courage to do what Caitlyn Jenner has done, but I think that 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. And I think this is a play to pump up 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.”
Everyone has an opinion, what Costas views as courageous, may not be for someone else looking in at the situation. The award could have gone to several worthy athletes, including the late Lauren Hill.