The 2024 ESPYs featured numerous heartfelt moments and plenty of hilarious jokes, but an awkward incident involving Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin cast a shadow over the evening.
The situation unfolded when New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason delivered an impassioned acceptance speech for the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Gleason’s words were deeply moving as he reflected on the support he has received throughout his battle with ALS.
“If it weren’t for my family, community, and caregivers, I would’ve been dead years ago,” Gleason said.
However, right after Gleason made this poignant statement, ABC’s cameras inexplicably panned to Damar Hamlin, creating a bizarre and insensitive moment given Hamlin’s own harrowing experience. In January 2023, Hamlin nearly lost his life on the football field but has since made a remarkable recovery.
The awkward camera cut sparked immediate backlash from sports fans and viewers, who criticized ABC’s production team for the insensitive timing.
“That is some nasty work,” one fan wrote on X.
Another fan echoed this sentiment, stating, “Someone’s gotta be fired for that.”
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While it’s possible that the camera shift was an unfortunate mistake, the incident undeniably cast the network in a negative light. The timing of the cut was seen as particularly poor, given Hamlin’s recent near-death experience and subsequent recovery.
Hamlin has yet to comment on the incident, and it’s unclear if he is even aware of the awkward moment. Given his character, it’s likely he would brush it off, focusing instead on his continued journey and the positive moments of the evening.
Despite the controversy, the 2024 ESPYs still celebrated many inspiring stories and achievements in sports. Yet, the unfortunate camera mishap serves as a reminder of the importance of sensitivity and awareness in live broadcasting.
