LOS ANGELES — Lindsey Vonn already was a gold medalist. Now she’s an ESPY winner in the top category.
Skiing superstar Vonn won female athlete of the year honors Wednesday night at the ESPY Awards. The Vail resident beat out Serena Williams and basketball players Maya Moore of Connecticut and Diana Taurasi of the Phoenix Mercury.
Vonn was also chosen best female Olympian. She became the first American woman to win the Olympic downhill and also won bronze in the super-G in the Vancouver Games.
“This is coming from the fans,” Vonn said backstage. “It’s not basketball, tennis or golf. It’s not as highly viewed as other sports. To win is a lot more than I expected.”
Drew Brees was the big winner, collecting four trophies, including male athlete of the year. The New Orleans Saints quarterback also won best championship performance, NFL player and shared the team award with his Super Bowl champion colleagues.
Brees was chosen male athlete over Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jimmie Johnson and Albert Pujols.
Landon Donovan of the U.S. national soccer team picked up three trophies, for best moment in a World Cup game against Algeria, best MLS player and the performance under pressure award.
Phil Mickelson ended Tiger Woods’ five-year run as best male golfer, denying Woods a record 23rd career ESPY.
Phil Jackson of the two-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers was named best coach. James was booed when a montage of male athlete nominees was shown. He didn’t attend the awards.
