The Nokia Theater in Los Angeles was the venue last night for the 2009 ESPY Awards, hosted by Samuel L. Jackson. The annual event recognizes excellence in sports performance and will air on July 19, 2009 at 9:00 ET on ESPN.
Michael Phelps beat out Tiger Woods, after his 5-year reign, and was named 2009 Best Male Athlete for his amazing accomplishments in the Beijing Olympics. Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin won Best Female Athlete 2009.
Tim Tebow was named 2009 Best Male College Athlete. Connecticut basketball player Maya Moore was named 2009 Best Female College Athlete. Racer Jimmie Johnson won Best Driver 2009, Larry Fitzgerald received the Best NFL Player 2009 award and Labron James won 2009 Best NBA Player.
Best Male Golfer 2009 is Tiger Woods. Best Female Golfer 2009 is Lorena Ochoa. Best Fighter 2009 is boxer Manny Pacquiao. Best Baseball Player 2009 is Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals. Best Male Action Sports Athlete 2009 is Shaun White, skateboarding and snowboarding. Best Sports Movie 2009 went to The Express: The Ernie Davis Story.
On hand were a mix of Hollywood celebrities, sportscasters and athletes including Nastia Liukin, Dara Torres, Wyclef Jean, Misty May-Treanor and her beach volleyball partner Kerri Walsh, Bruce Jenner and his daughter Kendall Jenner, Kristi Yamaguchi, Jaime Pressly, Kendra Wilkinson, Hank Baskett, Kurt Warner and his wife Brenda Warner, Venus Williams, Candy Spelling, Anna Rawson, Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa Bryant, Jeff Gordon and his wife Ingrid Vandebosch.
We’ve got all of the red carpet action in our photo gallery below. Complete ESPY winners list here.
Photos: Apega/WENN