Caitlyn Jenner breaks down in tears while thanking her family as she accepts Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs

Caitlyn Jenner tearfully thanked her family while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award on Wednesday at the ESPYs in Los Angeles.

The 65-year-old honoree received a standing ovation as she made her first major public appearance at the awards show since announcing her transitioning to a woman during an April tell-all interview with Diane Sawyer.

Caitlyn got tearful toward the end of her acceptance speech as she thanked her family, including mother, sister and nine adult children in the audience.

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Courage award: Caitlyn Jenner tearfully thanked her family on Wednesday night while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs in Los Angeles
Courage award: Caitlyn Jenner tearfully thanked her family on Wednesday night while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs in Los Angeles

Courage award: Caitlyn Jenner tearfully thanked her family on Wednesday night while accepting the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs in Los Angeles

'The biggest fear in Caitlyn Jenner coming out was I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all my family and my kids,' she said of the long-time struggle over her sexuality.

'I'm so, so grateful to have all of you in my life. Thank you,' she said wiping away a tear as her voice broke. 

She was presented with the honour by Abby Wambach, who is also an Olympic gold medalist, and was part of the US women's soccer team that won the World Cup earlier this month. 

Public debut: The awards show marked Caitlyn's first major public appearance since her transition

Public debut: The awards show marked Caitlyn's first major public appearance since her transition

Be a showstopper in a white gown like Caitlyn

Caitlyn Jenner might have skipped the ESPY red carpet, but that doesn't take away her crown for best dressed.

Caitlyn took the stage in a stunning white gown while receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

Although, her speech was quite memorable and teary-eyed, she made sure not to ruin her bronze make up or get a tear on her breath taking white dress.

If you fell in love with her ethereal wrap gown as much as we did, then why not follow the footsteps of a fashionista and emulate her look?

We found you some sexy alternatives, that will hug those curves but still give you the elegant look like Caitlyn.

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Among peers: Caitlyn made her major public debut among athletes at the ESPY Awards
Glamorous: Caitlyn accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in a custom Versace gown

Glamorous: Caitlyn accepted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in a custom Versace gown

Special night: Abby Wambach introduced Caitlyn as she presented the award

Special night: Abby Wambach introduced Caitlyn as she presented the award

Big moment: The audience was transfixed as the sporting icon and reality TV star made her speech

Big moment: The audience was transfixed as the sporting icon and reality TV star made her speech

Taking a bow: The athletes linked hands and took a bow together before leaving the stage

Taking a bow: The athletes linked hands and took a bow together before leaving the stage

Caitlyn wore a white custom Versace gown during her acceptance speech and also singled out her mother Esther who attended the awards ceremony after recently undergoing surgery.

She thanked Esther for teaching her how to act with courage as her 19-year-old model daughter Kendall Jenner wiped away tears and 17-year-old daughter Kylie Jenner also fought to contain her emotions.

Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian also were in the audience along with Jenner's sons Brandon and Brody with only stepson Rob Kardashian prominently absent.

Top honor: Esther looked up at Caitlyn as they sat together in the audience at Microsoft Theater

Top honor: Esther looked up at Caitlyn as they sat together in the audience at Microsoft Theater

Caitlyn during her acceptance speech also publicly thanked ABC news veteran Diane for her role in telling her story.

'This transition has been harder on me than anything I could have imagined,' Caitlyn told the audience as she pleaded for people to treat transgender people, particularly youths, with more compassion.

'Trans people deserve something vital,' she said. 'They deserve your respect.'

Standing ovation: Diane Sawyer and the rest of the audience stood up as Caitlyn took the stage

Standing ovation: Diane Sawyer and the rest of the audience stood up as Caitlyn took the stage

Family first: Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner listened intently as Caitlyn spoke

Family first: Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian and Kylie Jenner listened intently as Caitlyn spoke

Famous family: Kim Kardashian sat a row ahead of her famous sisters Kendall and Khloe

Famous family: Kim Kardashian sat a row ahead of her famous sisters Kendall and Khloe

Photo bomb: Bob Baffert fresh off his Triple Crown win with American Pharaoh got in on the Kardashians

Photo bomb: Bob Baffert fresh off his Triple Crown win with American Pharaoh got in on the Kardashians

Beaming with pride! Kim looked poised as she applauded Caitlyn beside sister Kourtney
Proud family: Pregnant Kim Kardashian happily cheered on her stepfather Caitlyn Jenner alongside Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Proud family: Pregnant Kim Kardashian happily cheered on her stepfather Caitlyn Jenner alongside Kendall Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Black ensembles: Caitlyn's children who were in attendance opted for all-black outfits on the big night

Black ensembles: Caitlyn's children who were in attendance opted for all-black outfits on the big night

She acknowledged forerunners in the campaign including Renee Richards, Chaz Bono and Laverne Cox and gave a nod to transgender athletes and military personnel.

'We've come a long way, but we have a lot of work to do,' she said.

Caitlyn opened her acceptance speech with a light touch as she joked about being under tremendous pressure the past few months.

'Picking out this outfit,' she quipped. 'OK, girls, I get it. You've got to get the shoes, the hair, the make-up, the whole process. It was exhausting.'

Caitlyn before she took the stage was the subject of a video profile narrated by Mad Men star Jon Hamm.

The video showed Bruce Jenner competing in the decathlon in the 1976 Summer Olympics and winning the gold medal.

Light touch: Caitlyn opened her acceptance speech joking about the pressure of finding the right outfit

Sports hero: Bruce Jenner when competing in the 1976 Summer Olympics

Sports hero: Bruce Jenner when competing in the 1976 Summer Olympics

He was aged 26 at the time and became an American hero as the country searched for a symbol of hope as the nation's bicentennial approached following a decade of turmoil.

Jenner was the right guy at the right time with Hamm saying he made 'patroitism cool again in America'.

The high-profile athlete however had been coping with gender dysphoria since his youth.

At home: Caitlyn was shown in the accompanying video while at home discussing the difficulties facing the transgender community

At home: Caitlyn was shown in the accompanying video while at home discussing the difficulties facing the transgender community

A transition attempt in the late 1980s was abandoned by Jenner due to concerns over his family, but it was pursued again after his marriage to Kris Jenner ended in 2013.

A decision to reduce his Adam's apple in 2014 was caught by the paparazzi.

'I knew immediately it was going to destroy me,' he said in the video.

Hollywood stars: Kiefer Sutherland and Rachel McAdams (left) presented the award for Best Record-Breaking Performance to Peyton Manning (right)
Hollywood stars: Kiefer Sutherland and Rachel McAdams (left) presented the award for Best Record-Breaking Performance to Peyton Manning (right)

Hollywood stars: Kiefer Sutherland and Rachel McAdams (left) presented the award for Best Record-Breaking Performance to Peyton Manning (right)

Service award: Halle Berry presented the Pat Tillman Award for Service to Danielle Green

Service award: Halle Berry presented the Pat Tillman Award for Service to Danielle Green

Boston fan: Boston Red Sox fan Ben Affleck presented the Icon Award to retired New York Yankees star Derek Jeter

Boston fan: Boston Red Sox fan Ben Affleck presented the Icon Award to retired New York Yankees star Derek Jeter

Team award: Vince Vaughn and Brett Favre presented the Best Team Award

Team award: Vince Vaughn and Brett Favre presented the Best Team Award

Male athlete: Jake Gyllenhaal presented the award for Best Male Athlete to Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors

Male athlete: Jake Gyllenhaal presented the award for Best Male Athlete to Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors

Good times: Britney Spears laughed while presenting the Best Female Athlete award with NFL player JJ Watt

Good times: Britney Spears laughed while presenting the Best Female Athlete award with NFL player JJ Watt

A photo of Jenner crying in his car moved his daughter Kendall who said her father never cries.

'It was really, really hard to see,' she admitted.

'People forget we're actually human beings,' Kendall said in the video.

Hard to see: Kendall in a video said it was tough to see her father cry
Hard to see: Kendall in a video said it was tough to see her father cry

Hard to see: Kendall in a video said it was tough to see her father cry

'To finally be free, that must be the greatest feeling in the world,' she added later.

'Thirty-nine years after we were introduced the world is meeting Caitlyn Jenner again and for the first time,' Hamm said while noting that just like 1976 the timing was perfect.

Transgender actress Candis Cayne was set to accompany Caitlyn to the awards ceremony as both of their camps on Wednesday shot down reports of a romance. 

Unveiling: News of the honour was first announced in June in the same Vanity Fair magazine article that revealed her transition from Bruce to Caitlyn

Unveiling: News of the honour was first announced in June in the same Vanity Fair magazine article that revealed her transition from Bruce to Caitlyn

'It was so ridiculous. What, is Candis suddenly a lesbian now? Candis is currently single but is only interested in men, and Caitlyn is a woman,' a source responding to a tabloid report told Us Weekly.

A source close to Caitlyn also confirmed they were not dating.

Candis, one of the first trangsgender actresses in Hollywood, appears on the I Am Cait upcoming reality series and has been a sort of mentor to Caitlyn.

Not dating: Caitlyn and Candis Cayne, shown last month in New York City, were set to attend the ESPYs together after sources for both shot down reports of a romance between them

Not dating: Caitlyn and Candis Cayne, shown last month in New York City, were set to attend the ESPYs together after sources for both shot down reports of a romance between them

And while the award was a tremendous honour, Caitlyn, of course, had fashion on the brain upon hearing the news.

She tweeted when the announcement was made in June: 'What the hell am I going to wear?'

Perhaps Kim Kardashian, 34, was pivotal in Caitlyn's final sartorial choices for the evening. 

What matters most: And while the award is a tremendous honour, Caitlyn, of course, had fashion on the brain upon hearing the news

What matters most: And while the award is a tremendous honour, Caitlyn, of course, had fashion on the brain upon hearing the news

Large family: Jenner's children including Kendall, Khloe, Kylie, Kim, Kourtney, Brandon and Brody were shown in an Instagram snap backstage shared by Kim

Large family: Jenner's children including Kendall, Khloe, Kylie, Kim, Kourtney, Brandon and Brody were shown in an Instagram snap backstage shared by Kim

Showing support: Kendall and Kylie Jenner arrived at the awards ceremony to support their father

Showing support: Kendall and Kylie Jenner arrived at the awards ceremony to support their father

Gorgeous: The brunette beauty certainly turned heads in her demure, floor-length gown

Gorgeous: The brunette beauty certainly turned heads in her demure, floor-length gown

Sisters doin' it for themselves: The pair stunned in the classy outfits and owned the red carpet

Sisters doin' it for themselves: The pair stunned in the classy outfits and owned the red carpet

Full-on glamour: Kylie effortlessly turned heads on the red carpet in her metallic fishtail dress
Family resemblance: Kylie certainly shares certain assets with her half-sister Kim Kardashian 

Full-on glamour: Kylie effortlessly turned heads on the red carpet in her metallic fishtail dress

Family affair: Brody Jenner also was there to support his father along with girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter

Family affair: Brody Jenner also was there to support his father along with girlfriend Kaitlynn Carter

All white: Diane Sawyer also was at the awards ceremony after hosting the tell-all special in April in which the Olympics champion announced she was a woman

All white: Diane Sawyer also was at the awards ceremony after hosting the tell-all special in April in which the Olympics champion announced she was a woman

Even before Caitlyn transitioned, Kim - who Caitlyn said has been the most accepting of the children - became something of a stylist to her stepparent.

Then still living as Bruce, Kim said she would help go through his closet and weed out all the ugly clothes, and at the time he even admitted to stealing one of her outfits.

'If you’re keeping some of these pieces, I don’t want to be known as your stylist,' she told him on an About Bruce special of Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

On the way: Kourtney Kardashian tweeted that she and sister Khloe were on their way to the awards show apparently well after it started

On the way: Kourtney Kardashian tweeted that she and sister Khloe were on their way to the awards show apparently well after it started

Showgirl: Britney wowed fans in the barely-there dress which featured sequins and fringe detail
Showgirl: Britney wowed fans in the barely-there dress which featured sequins and fringe detail

Showgirl: Britney Spears wowed fans in the barely-there dress which featured sequins and fringe detail

Busty: Mel B put on a very buxom display as she arrived in a bright red, form-fitting dress

Busty: Mel B put on a very buxom display as she arrived in a bright red, form-fitting dress

Strike a pose: The former Spice Girl is looking better than ever and was joined by husband Stephen Belafonte

Strike a pose: The former Spice Girl is looking better than ever and was joined by husband Stephen Belafonte

Husband and wife: The couple cosied-up on the red carpet as they attended the annual ceremony

Husband and wife: The couple cosied-up on the red carpet as they attended the annual ceremony

Purr-fect! Catwoman actress Halle Berry put on a very leggy display in her choice of attire

Purr-fect! Catwoman actress Halle Berry put on a very leggy display in her choice of attire

The thigh's the limit: The actress flaunted her impressive legs in the leather mini skirt

The thigh's the limit: The actress flaunted her impressive legs in the leather mini skirt

Similar styles: USA women's soccer player Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd shimmered in black and charcoal

Similar styles: USA women's soccer players Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd shimmered in black and charcoal

Getting close: Hope Solo and Jerramy Stevens arrive at The Microsoft Centre in LA

Getting close: Hope Solo and Jerramy Stevens arrive at The Microsoft Centre in LA

Colour co-ordinated: Russell Wilson and Ciara both wore wine-coloured looks

Colour co-ordinated: Russell Wilson and Ciara both wore wine-coloured looks

Jenner's Athletic Accomplishments

1974: American decathlete champion

1974: French national decathlete champion

1975: Set a world record of 8,524 points at a track meet in Eugene, Oregon 

1976: Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon 

1980: US National Track and Field Hall of Fame 

1986: Olympic Hall of Fame

1994: Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame 

1994: Connecticut Sports Hall of Fame 

2010: San Jose Sports Hall of Fame

The former Olympian joined recent Arthur Ashe Courage Award recipients such as Michael Sam, the first openly gay NFL player, and sportscaster Robin Roberts, who survived breast cancer and the blood disease myelodysplastic syndrome.

In its statement announcing Jenner's award, an ESPN boss said he hoped honouring Jenner would 'give comfort' to other transgender people struggling with their identity.'

Executive producer Maura Mandt said upon announcing the honour: 'Bruce [Jenner] has received many accolades over the years for being one of the greatest Olympians of our time, but The ESPYS are honored to celebrate Bruce becoming Caitlyn.'

'She has shown the courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and 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.'

Jenner herself was also quoted in the statement. She said: 'In the past few months, the overwhelming outpouring of support from all over the world for my journey has been incredible'.

'However, being honored with this award, which is named after one of my heroes, is truly special. For the first time this July, I will be able to stand as my true self in front of my peers.' 

ESPN has given its Arthur Ashe Courage Award to figures ranging from professional sportsmen to relative unknowns - and even a world leader.

Ashe was a top-ranked US tennis player who died of AIDS-related pneumonia and was known for his support of civil rights and efforts to educate others about HIV and AIDS.

American champion: Arthur Ashe is shown in 1975 after beating Jimmy Connors in four sets to win  Wimbledon

American champion: Arthur Ashe is shown in 1975 after beating Jimmy Connors in four sets to win  Wimbledon

Following the announcement Bob Costas said that Caitlyn wasn't 'deserving' of the bravery award.

The NBC sportscaster described the move as a 'crass exploitation play' by the network and suggested that somebody 'actively involved in sports' should get it instead.

Costas asserted that Jenner had been granted the Arthur Ashe Courage Award because she offers a 'gawker factor' to the awards ceremony itself, and boost TV audience figures for the ESPYs award ceremony.

Gold medal: Jenner won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal

Gold medal: Jenner won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal

This is not, however, the first accolade for Jenner, who came the American decathlete champion in 1974 and won the French national championship the following year.

That same year, in 1975, Jenner set a world record of 8,524 points at a track meet in Oregon.

Of course Jenner's biggest accomplishment came in 1976 upon winning the gold medal in the decathlon.

Fighting champion: Ronda Rousey accepted the Best Female Athlete Award at the ceremony

Fighting champion: Ronda Rousey accepted the Best Female Athlete Award at the ceremony

Fan favourite: Rob Gronkowski accepted the Best Comeback Athlete award after the New England Patriots star overcame a season-ending knee injury in 2013 

Fan favourite: Rob Gronkowski accepted the Best Comeback Athlete award after the New England Patriots star overcame a season-ending knee injury in 2013 

Winner after losing: Lebron James accepted the award for Best Championship Performance for his play in the NBA Finals in which his Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors

Winner after losing: Lebron James accepted the award for Best Championship Performance for his play in the NBA Finals in which his Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Golden State Warriors

Cute couple: Derek Jeter leans into girlfriend Hanna Davis as he accepted the Icon Award

Cute couple: Derek Jeter leans into girlfriend Hanna Davis as he accepted the Icon Award

Best team: Alex Morgan and Hope Solo of the US women's soccer team and their teammates accepted the award for Best Team

Best team: Alex Morgan and Hope Solo of the US women's soccer team and their teammates accepted the award for Best Team

PAST COURAGE AWARD WINNERS

ESPN has given its Arthur Ashe Courage Award, named after a tennis player who died of AIDS-related pneumonia, to figures ranging from professional sportsmen to relative unknowns - and even a world leader:

2014: Michael Sam, the first openly gay NFL player, was given the award last year. The former St Louis Ram now plays in the Canadian league.

2013: Robin Roberts, a Good Morning America host who worked at ESPN for 15 years, received the 2013 award after her battles with breast cancer and myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood condition.

2012: Pat Summitt, a basketball coach at the University of Tennessee with more NCAA wins to her name than any other coach, was given the award after her battle with Alzheimer's disease.

2011: Dewey Bozella, who spent most of his adult life in prison after being wrongly convicted of murder, but found solace and stability in boxing, won the award four years ago.

2010: The family of Ed Thomas, football coach at an Iowa high school, accepted the award after he was murder by a mentally ill former player in the school locker room.

2009: Nelson Mandela, the first president of South Africa, won the award for the way he used the 1995 Rugby World Cup as a vehicle for healing racial divides in his country.

During the coronation, Jenner took an American flag from a spectator and hoisted it into the air while running a victory lap, initiating a tradition that is now common among athletes the world over. 

Jenner has been inducted into US National Track and Field Hall of Fame, the Olympic Hall of Fame, the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame, the Connecticut Sports Hall of Fame, and the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame.

Before Caitlyn's gender transition she was married three times. Her first marriage was to Chrystie Scott (1972-1981), which produced two children Burton and Cassandra.

Greatest athlete: Bruce is shown in 1976 training for the Sumer Olympics

Greatest athlete: Bruce is shown in 1976 training for the Sumer Olympics

One week after the divorce for his first marriage was finalized she remarried, this time to actress Linda Thompson, they had two children together Brandon and Brody.

Linda divorced Jenner in 1986. The former Olympian went on to marry Kris Jenner in 1991, they have two daughters, Kendall and Kylie. 

Jenner is step-parent to Kris' four children, Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, and Rob Kardashian.

Caitlyn and Kris had their divorce finalized in March 2015, just one month before Caitlyn's official gender transition was made public. 

Victory! Of course Jenner's biggest athletic accomplishment came in 1976 upon winning the gold medal in the decathlon

Victory! Of course Jenner's biggest athletic accomplishment came in 1976 upon winning the gold medal in the decathlon

Caitlyn Jenner acceptance speech for Arthur Ashe Courage Award at 2015 ESPYs 

'Thank you so much it I so wonderful to be here tonight. The last few months have been a whirlwind of so many different experiences and emotions. To tell you the truth, it seems every time I turn around in life, I'm putting myself in these high-pressured situations. Competing in the Games, raising a family. But I've never felt more pressured than I ever have in my life, than the last couple of months. Picking out this outfit — OK, girls, I get it! You've got to get the shoes, the hair the makeup, the whole process. It was exhausting. And next, the fashion police — please be kind on me, I'm new at this.

'Anyway, I just want to say a quick shout out to our soccer team. Ladies, you clean up very well.

'But the real truth is, before a few months ago I had never met anybody else who was trans, who was like me. I had never met a trans person, never. Now, as you saw, I dealt with my situation on my own in private and that turned this journey into an already incredible education.

'It's been eye-opening, inspiring, but also frightening. All across this country, right now, all across the world, at this very moment, there are young people coming to terms with being transgender. They're learning that they are different and they are trying to figure out how to handle that, on top of every other problem that a teenager has.

'They're getting bullied, they're getting beaten up, they're getting murdered and they're committing suicide. The numbers that you just heard before are staggering, but they are the reality of what it is like to be trans today.

'Just last month, the body of 17-year-old Mercedes Williamson, a transgender young woman of color, was found in a field in Mississippi stabbed to death. I also want to tell you about Sam Taub, a 15-year-old transgender young man from Bloomfield, Michigan. In early April, Sam took his own life. Now, Sam's story haunts me in particular because his death was a few days before my interview with Diane Sawyer. Every time something like this happens, people wonder, ''Could it have been different, if spotlighting this issue with more attention could have changed the way things happen?'' We'll never know.

'If there is one thing I do know about my life, it is the power of the spotlight. Sometimes it gets overwhelming, but with attention comes responsibility. As a group, as athletes, how you conduct your lives, what you say, what you do, is absorbed and observed by millions of people, especially young people. I know I'm clear with my responsibility going forward, to tell my story the right way — for me, to keep learning, to reshape the landscape of how trans issues are viewed, how trans people are treated. And then more prominently to promote a very simple idea: accepting people for who they are. Accepting people's differences.

'My plea to you tonight is to join me in making these issues your issues as well. How do we start? We start with education. I was fortunate to meet Arthur Ashe a few times and I know how important education was to him. Learn as much as you can about another person to understand them better.

'I know the people in this room have respect for hard work, for training, for going through something difficult to achieve the outcome that you desire. I trained hard, I competed hard, and for that, people respected me.

'But this transition has been harder on me than anything I could imagine. And that's the case for so many others besides me. For that reason alone, trans people deserve something vital. They deserve your respect. And from that respect comes a more compassionate community, a more empathetic society, and a better world for all of us.

'There have been so many people that have traveled this road before me. From, in sports, Renée Richards to Chaz Bono, to Laverne Cox, and many others. Janet Mock is here tonight. And I want to thank them all publicly, and the ESPYs, and the late Arthur Ashe, for giving me this platform to start the next phase of my journey. I also want to acknowledge all the young trans athletes who are out there — given the chance to play sports as who they really are.

'And now, as of this week, it appears trans people will soon be serving in the military. That's a great idea. We have come along way. But we have a lot of work to do.

'I'd like to thank personally, my buddy Diane Sawyer. You know, you can only tell your story the first time once and Diane you did it so authentically and so gracefully. And me and the community are so thankful for that. Thank you so much Diane, I'm so proud to have you as a friend.

'Here comes the tough part. I'd like to thank my family. The biggest fear in Caitlyn Jenner coming out was I never wanted to hurt anyone else, most of all my family and my kids. I always wanted my family to be so proud of their dad because of what he has accomplished in his life. You guys have given so much back to me, you've given me so much support, I'm so, so grateful to have all of you in my life. Thank you.

'And certainly last, but not least, my mother. My mom who, just a little over a week ago, had to have surgery and I didn't think she was going to make it, but she is here with me tonight to share this night. Now, you know I always thought that I got my courage and my determination from my dad. He landed on Omaha Beach and fought all the way through World War II. But you know what I'm thinking now, Mom, is that I got all these qualities from you. I love you very much. I'm so glad you're here to share this with me.

'You know, it is an honor to have the word courage associated with my life. But tonight another word comes to mind and that is fortunate. I owe a lot to sports. It has shown me the world, it has given me an identity. If someone wanted to bully me, well, you know what? I was the MVP of the football team. That wasn't going to be a problem. And the same thing goes tonight. If you want to call me names, make jokes, doubt my intentions, go ahead, because the reality is I can take it. But for the thousands of kids out there who are coming to terms with being true to who they are, they shouldn't have to take it.

'So for the people out there wondering what all this is about — whether it's about courage or controversy or publicity — well, I'll tell you what it's all about. It's about what happens from here. It's not just about one person, it's about thousands of people. It's not just about me, it's about all of us accepting one another. We are all different. That's not a bad thing, that's a good thing and while it may not be easy to get past the things you do not understand, I want to prove that it is absolutely possible if we only do it together.

'Thanks you so much for this. Thanks you so much for this honor bestowed on myself and on my family.'

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