Bob Costas expressed his disapproval over ESPN’s decision to award Caitlyn Jenner, “formerly known as Bruce,” with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
In an interview with “The Dan Patrick Show” this week, Costas called it a “crass exploitation play.”
“They could’ve found someone — and this is not anything against Caitlyn Jenner — who was much closer actively involved in sports, who would’ve been deserving of what that award represents,” Costas said.
“That’s not to say that it doesn’t take some measure of personal courage to do what Caitlyn Jenner has done, but I think that ever year we look across the landscape of sports, and we find prominent people and kids in high school and amateur athletes who I think more closely fit the description of what they’re looking for or should be looking for there.”
Last year’s recipient was Michael Sam, the NFL’s first openly gay player.
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