COLUMBUS – If it is an honor just to be nominated, then the Buckeyes who were nominated for ESPY awards had to settle for the honor alone.
Ohio State athletes, coaches or teams were nominated for four of the trophies presented at the 23rd award show Wednesday evening but all went home empty-handed.
The College Football Playoff national championship football team was up for “team of the year” but lost to the U.S. women’s national soccer team, which won its third World Cup title two weeks ago.
Head football coach Urban Meyer lost out to Steve Kerr of the NBA champion Golden State Warriors for “best coach/manager.”
Quarterback Cardale Jones was up for “breakthrough athlete,” along with Odell Beckham Jr., from the New York Giants; Jordan Spieth from the PGA tour, and Mo’ne Davis – selected as the winner – from Little League Baseball.
Four-time NCAA champion wrestler Logan Stieber was up for best male college athlete, an award the was won by Marcus Mariota.
The ESPN-created show was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast live on ABC.