Simone Biles owned the night at the 2025 ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 16. She was named Best Athlete Womens Sports and also won Best Championship Performance. The honors follow her dominant return at the Paris Olympics where she collected three gold medals and one silver. Her total ESPY count now stands at seven.
ESPY Night Shines Spotlight on Simone Biles
The ESPYs bring sports and entertainment together each summer. This year the spotlight fell hard on Biles. Her Olympic return drew global attention. Her wins at the awards show confirmed that the world is still watching.
Host Shane Gillis guided a crowd of players actors and fans through a night packed with tributes and big names. Yet applause hit its peak when Biles walked the stage to accept her awards.
Paris Comeback Powered the Votes
Biles delivered one of the greatest athletic returns in recent memory. After stepping back from competition in earlier years to protect her mental health she rebuilt. In Paris she showed new focus and supreme skill. Three gold medals and one silver proved her form.
ESPY voters responded to that performance. The Best Championship Performance honor pointed directly to her Olympic results. The Best Athlete Womens Sports award recognized her full season of excellence.
Simone Biles Thanks Her Circle
During her speech Biles spoke straight to the people who carried her. The recognition means more than you know she said. She thanked teammates competitors coaches family and fans.
She also stressed support when life gets heavy. It matters who shows up when you struggle not only when you win. That line hit the room and social feeds at once.
Strength Behind the Skills
Biles reminded viewers that world class talent still needs trust and care. Training loads pressure media and travel all weigh on athletes. A strong circle helps you stand through both medals and mistakes.
Her testimony models mental health courage for young girls and women in sport. It also shows that returning stronger is possible after stepping away.
Other Big Winners at the 2025 ESPYs
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous Alexander was named Best Athlete Mens Sports. He led his team to an NBA title and captured league scoring and MVP honors.
Saquon Barkley took Best Play for a highlight touchdown run. JuJu Watkins of USC earned Best College Athlete Womens Sports after a standout freshman season. Coco Gauff won Best Tennis Player following a breakout global year.
Oscar Robertson Receives Arthur Ashe Award for Courage
A powerful moment came when NBA legend Oscar Robertson accepted the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Denver star Russell Westbrook introduced him. Robertson was honored for standing up for player rights during his career.
He served as the first Black president of a major pro sports players union. His antitrust action against the NBA decades ago helped pave the way for modern free agency and greater player control.
Legacy Tributes Add Heart to the Show
The ESPYs also honored long careers that shaped how we watch sport. Broadcaster Lee Corso received a warm send off from friends and colleagues from College GameDay. The crowd rose in gratitude.
These tributes balanced the night. Viewers saw both rising talent and the people who held the door open years before.
Full List Underscores Range Across Sports
From gymnastics to football to rugby the winners list stretched across leagues and levels. Philadelphia Eagles were named Best Team. Suni Lee won Best Comeback Athlete. Alexander Ovechkin claimed Best Record Breaking Performance.
Awards also lifted athletes with disabilities high school standouts and fighters from combat sports. The mix showed the reach of modern sport culture.
Why Simone Biles Win Matters for Black Women and Girls
Biles stands at the center of elite sport and public courage. She has faced global pressure and still speaks about mental health and support. Her double win shows that excellence and honesty can live together.
For Black girls watching she signals power in owning your body your limits and your return. Medals matter. So does speaking up when you need help.
