Flint native Jim Abbott added another major honor to a career already defined by grit and impact, taking home the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYs on Wednesday.
Abbott, the former Michigan pitcher who became the first MLB pitcher to play with one hand after being born without a right hand, was recognized for the path he blazed for people with a birth defect. The award is given each year to a person in sports who has shown perseverance and determination in the face of major obstacles.
The presentation came at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York, with Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander handing Abbott the award.
Abbott, 58, spent three seasons at Michigan from 1986-88 before going on to pitch 10 years in the majors from 1989-99. In his acceptance speech, he reflected on what it meant to grow up different and still find a place in sports.
“Being born this way, I knew what it was like to be different,” Abbott said during his acceptance speech. “I knew what it was like to be on the outside looking in.
And I knew what it was like to want to prove yourself and be on a team. Of all of the great blessings that sports have given me, that sense of belonging is the best.
“It’s taught me important lessons that it’s important to believe that you can do things differently in this world and still do them just as well as anybody else. It’s important to have focus on what’s been given rather than what’s taken away and believe in who you are.”
Abbott wasn’t the only Michigan-connected name in the mix Wednesday, though the rest of the local contingent left without hardware.
Commerce Township native Connor Hellebuyck was up for “Best Championship Performance” after helping the U.S. men’s hockey team win gold. That honor went to Jalen Brunson, who led the Knicks to their first NBA championship since 1973.
Farmington Hills native Megan Keller was nominated for “Best Play” after scoring the golden goal in Team USA’s win over Canada in the Olympic gold medal game. The award instead went to OG Anunoby's tip-in during the Knicks' Game 4 win over the Spurs helped New York complete a 29-point comeback.
Hilary Knight, who was traded to PWHL Detroit, and former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford were both in the running for the top individual awards in their sports. Knight was nominated for “Best Athlete, Women’s Sports,” while Stafford was up for “Best Athlete, Men’s Sports.” Brunson and WNBA star A’ja Wilson won those categories.
Stafford also fell short in “Best NFL Player,” where the award went to his new teammate Myles Garrett after Garrett set an NFL record with 23 sacks for the Browns last season.
USA men’s hockey, which included Hellebuyck, and USA women’s hockey, which included Keller and Knight, were both nominated for “Best Team,” but that award went to the Knicks.
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