ESPYs Honor Team USA, MSU Gymnastics Sex Abuse Survivors

In a year that saw the conviction of disgraced former Team USA doctor and Michigan State University physician Larry Nassar, the 2018 ESPY awards took it upon itself to shine a light on the unity of the sexual assault survivors and celebrated the feats performed by female athletes over the past year. The show was hosted by former race driver Danica Patrick, the first woman to host the ESPYs since their inception in 1993.

In a somber, spine-tingling moment that brought several in attendance at the Microsoft Theater to tears, around 100 women took the center stage while singer MILCK, an abuse survivor herself, sang her anthemic single, “Quiet.” Each woman in the group that filled the stage was representative of the “sister survivors” who spoke out against Nassar.

“Telling our stories of abuse over and over again in detail is not easy,” said Sarah Klein, a former gymnast and victim of Nassar’s abuse. “It’s grueling, it’s painful, but it’s time. We must start caring about children’s safety more than we do about adults’ reputations.”

MILCK told Variety that the ESPYs giving the survivors a platform to celebrate their courage is important because it gives audience members who may be hiding their own stories of abuse and trauma the courage to speak out.

“If even one person finds the bravery to stand forward, that’s incredible, that’s culture changing,” she said.

Olympic gold medalist snowboarder Jamie Anderson said the moment showed a unity among women that is important for audiences to see.

“When you grow up and become a woman, you become more supportive of your fellow women,” Anderson said. “It’s more coming together and helping each other be their best.”

CJ Perry, who wrestles for WWE under the moniker ‘Lana,’ said it’s important for people to have support networks, and it should be encouraged rather than seen as a weakness.

“No one should fight this alone,” Perry said. “With any injustice that happens, you should not just fight alone. There needs to be people who fight and speak out and speak up against injustice. That’s the only way to make society better.”

Team USA gymnast Aly Raisman echoed a similar sentiment in the final speech of the night, saying that predators thrive in silence, and people who choose to do nothing on behalf of victims are shaping the world negatively for others.

“We may suffer alone, but we survive together,” Raisman said.

The full list of honorees:

Best Male Athlete: Alexander Ovechkin

Best Female Athlete: Chloe Kim

Best Olympic Moment: Shaun White

Best Championship Performance: Nick Foles

Best Breakthrough Athlete: Donovan Mitchell

Best Game: USA Women’s Hockey defeats Canada

Best Moment: Minnesota Vikings defeat the New Orleans Saints

Best Team: Houston Astros

Best College Athlete: Baker Mayfield

Best Play: Notre Dame’s Arike Ogunbowale hits second buzzer beater to win NCAA women’s national title