Bob Costas: ESPN ‘Courage’ Award to Jenner Is ‘Crass Exploitation,’ a ‘Tabloid Play’

Bob Costas: ESPN ‘Courage’ Award to Jenner Is ‘Crass Exploitation,’ a ‘Tabloid Play’ (NewsBusters)

Bruce “Call Me Caitlyn” Jenner spurred another controversial firestorm with the announcement of being awarded ESPN’s Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the upcoming ESPYs. Jenner, who swapped athletics for acting in commercials and TV shows shortly after the 1976 Olympics, is being given the award despite many other deserving people who have shown courage in the face of adversity, such as Mount St. Joseph University basketball player Lauren Hill, who battled terminal brain cancer yet continued to play basketball.

When interviewed on the Dan Patrick radio show (simulcast on NBC Sports Channel), NBC sportscaster Bob Costas was asked for his take on the ESPY-Jenner brouhaha. He started out by wishing Jenner well (the PC thing to do): “I’m hoping not to be misunderstood.  I wish Caitlyn Jenner well, and anyone seeking to find the identity they are comfortable and to live the happiest possible like without intentionally hurting anyone else.”