Social media, athletes react to Jenner ... and it's not all positive
Before she even took the stage to accept the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on Wednesday night, Caitlyn Jenner was the talk of the ESPYs.
When she finally accepted her award and gave her speech, advocating for acceptance and tolerance while expressing her desire to shine the spotlight brighter on transgender rights, she received a standing ovation.
At the ESPYs, several athletes in attendance expressed their admiration for Jenner, the Olympic champion and reality TV star formerly known as Bruce Jenner before undergoing a transition earlier this year.
"She's really brave to have the courage to get through a lot of those things," 14-year-old Little League star Mo'ne Davis, who won Best Breakthrough Athlete, told The Associated Press. "I know a lot of people give her a hard time about it but just for her family to give her that support is amazing."
Not surprisingly, by the time Jenner was done speaking and off the Microsoft Theater stage in Los Angeles, social media was on fire.
Most of the tweets were certainly positive, coming from celebs, family and strangers.
Respect to @Caitlyn_Jenner. Beautiful, moving, inspiring speech tonight at the #Espys. We are a better people because of your courage.
— IG: @UncleRUSH (@UncleRUSH) July 16, 2015
Caitlyn Jenner. Bravo. An inspiration to many. Another great message. ESPYS hitting the serious notes very well tonight. @itscrab #TPTxESPYS
— The Players' Tribune (@PlayersTribune) July 16, 2015
But not everyone was singing Jenner’s -- or ESPN’s -- praises.
This is what former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield told The AP from the ESPYs: "I just know that's Bruce Jenner and I'll leave it at that."
As for social media ...
EXCLUSIVE: Driver involved in fatal #CaitlynJenner crash denounces #ESPYAwards honor. http://t.co/y9PI8R0Dht pic.twitter.com/2VL9R4uPfw
— EntertainmentTonight (@etnow) July 16, 2015
Just to be clear, #CaitlynJenner now shares an award with NELSON MANDELA. #ESPYS
— Michael Moreno (@MochaMikeLI) July 16, 2015
Caitlyn Jenner just got a 15 minute special about becoming a woman. Leah got 3 minutes for fighting cancer, Stuart Scott 0. #ESPYS
— Andrew Luck (@FauxAndyLuck) July 16, 2015
I support Caitlyn Jenner's 'journey.' But receiving a courage award over athletes who overcame cancer & more is simply about ratings. #ESPYS
— Cam Cameron (@LAXnOREOS) July 16, 2015
#OtherESPYAwards Publicity Stunt of the Year: Giving Caitlyn Jenner the courage award
— Will (@NOTSCWill) July 16, 2015
And the Twitter war was on.
The true courage award should go to the Twitter heroes filling @Caitlyn_Jenner's mentions with vile garbage. Your bravery is inspiring.
— Dave Lozo (@DaveLozo) July 16, 2015
So many brainless people asking what Caitlyn Jenner has done to get the #ESPYS award without realizing they're the reason she deserves it.
— Tobey | Lady Gaga (@tobeymonster) July 16, 2015
Sad to see so much transphobic hatred. I stand with Caitlyn Jenner, and yes, she is absolutely courageous. #ESPYs
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) July 16, 2015
But despite the emotions and hostilities over Jenner and her cause, there is always room for facetiousness.
Caitlyn Jenner needs to thank @RayJ more than anyone else. He would not be up there without him. #ESPYS
— Not Bill Walton (@NotBillWalton) July 16, 2015
