A handful of Latino athletes were honored Wednesday night (July 20) during the 2022 ESPY Awards, which recognizes individual and team accomplishments in the sports world. This year, the ceremony was hosted by four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry.
Retiring St. Louis Cardinals star Albert Pujols was presented with the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for his “continuous, demonstrated leadership [that] has created a measured positive impact on their community through sports” and for “embrac[ing] the core principles that Muhammad Ali embodied so well, including confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and respect.”
Pujols is president of the Pujols Family Foundation, which helps impoverished people in his home country of the Dominican Republic and serves people with Down syndrome living in the United States. Pujols’s 24-year-old daughter, Isabella, has the genetic disorder.
“Muhammad Ali was an incredible man who wanted to change the world,” Pujols said during his acceptance speech. “He used his platform to make an impact to help those in need. His legacy will never be forgotten, and I’m honored to accept this award.”
Also receiving awards Wednesday evening were Brazilian mixed martial artist Charles Oliveira for Best MMA Fighter. This past May, Oliveira was stripped of the UFC Lightweight Championship when he missed weight for his fight against Justin Gaethje. He won the match but was ineligible to hold the title. He will attempt to win it back against Islam Makhachev at UFC 280 in October.
The ESPY Award for Best Major League Soccer Player went to Carlos Vela, who plays for Los Angeles FC. This year is the Mexican soccer player’s fifth season in the MLS, where his team is currently at the top of their conference.
The ESPY Award for Best Jockey went to Puerto Rican horse racer Jose Ortiz. This year, Ortiz won the Preakness Stakes, the second Triple Crown race win of his career.