American sportscaster Bob Costas is not pleased with sports channel ESPN for giving Bruce Jenner, now known as Caitlyn Jenner, the ESPY Courage Award, describing the network's action as "a crass exploitation play."
"It's a tabloid play," Costas said during the Dan Patrick Show. "In the broad world of sports, I'm pretty sure they could've found — and this is not anything against Caitlyn Jenner — I'm pretty sure they could have found someone who was much closer to actively involved in sports who would have been deserving of what that awards represents."
Jenner won the gold medal in the men's decathlon event at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal. He was lauded as an American hero for winning the event back from the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
But given the timing of the award, Costas believes that ESPN simply wants to pump up the audience and attract eyeballs, "not because of the validity but because of whatever the kind of gawker factor is."
Costas clarified that he has nothing against Jenner because he did not know the person very well. However, he said he had a cordial relationship with him and so he wishes Caitlyn well. "I wish Caitlyn all the happiness and peace of mind in the world. However, it strikes me that awarding the Arthur Ashe to Caitlyn Jenner is just a crass exploitation play," he said.
Costas also said he does not wish to put down "anyone seeking to find the identity they're comfortable with and live the happiest possible life without hurting anybody."
For its part, ESPN executive producer Maura Mandt said that Jenner deserves the award not just because he was one of the greatest Olympians America has ever known but because Jenner had the courage to embrace the truth of her identity.
"She has shown the courage...to embark on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces," she said.
