ESPY Award 2014 Predictions for Seahawks, Pete Carroll, Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman
By Josh Davis
Jun 17, 2014; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback
Russell Wilson(3) signs autographs for members of the Darrington high school football team during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Seahawks organization has never won an ESPY award, but after everything else that went right in 2014, this year seems like the year that would happen, doesn’t it?
The entire organization actually has four nominations; the team itself, Best Coach/Manager, Best NFL Player and Best Breakthrough Athlete. Let’s take a look at the competition and perhaps a prediction as to who will win each group.
BEST TEAM
- Seattle Seahawks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Boston Red Sox
- L.A. Kings
- Florida State Seminoles (NCAA Football)
- Connecticut Huskies (WNCAA Basketball)
PREDICTION: Everybody being champions and what-not, I think that popularity wins out in this one and the Seattle Seahawks will take home the ESPY. There were just far too many memorable moments for people to pass the Hawks over when all is said and done.
BEST COACH/MANAGER
- Pete Carroll – Seattle Seahawks (NFL)
- Geno Auriemma – UCONN Huskies (WNCAA BB)
- Kevin Ollie – UCONN Huskies (NCAA BB)
- John Farrell – Boston Red Sox (MLB)
- Gregg Popovich – San Antonio Spurs (NBA)
PREDICTION: This award would come down to two guys, Auriemma and Popovich, IF it were a ‘best coach overall’ vote because they’ve won so many titles. Then again, Carroll has now won an NCAA championship AND an NFL championship, which is mighty impressive in it’s own right. There are two things that will play largely in the favor of Popovich though; the fact that he is the most recent to hoist a championship trophy and the fact that his team absolutely pummeled the two-time defending champ. Seattle’s Super Bowl route was impressive, but the Spurs’ domination of the Heat this time around was just as complete.
BEST NFL PLAYER
- Russell Wilson – Seahawks
- Jamaal Charles – Chiefs
- Luke Kuechly – Panthers
- Peyton Manning – Broncos
- LeSean McCoy – Eagles
PREDICTION: Wilson has a great shot because of what he did to Denver’s defense in the Super Bowl, but I don’t think he’s to the level of “best player” yet. Normally I would say Peyton after the ridiculous season he had, but my God did Seattle embarrass him in the Super Bowl. Therefore I’d go to the guy who did the most with the least (on his team), and the only defensive player on the list; Luke Kuechly.
BEST BREAKTHROUGH ATHLETE
- Richard Sherman – Seahawks (NFL)
- Nick Foles – Eagles (NFL)
- Damian Lillard – Portland Trailblazers (NBA)
- Masahiro Tanaka – New York Yankees (MLB)
PREDICTION: If Sherman doesn’t win this going away, there’s something wrong. Not only is he the only one of these athletes to win a championship ring and hoist a trophy this year, but he crushes all of these kids in the aspect of media presence. Lillard did hit that shot to send Rip City to round 2, so props on that, but Sherm hit that same shot in a football game to send the Hawks to the Super Bowl and then helped to make the most explosive scoring offense the NFL has ever seen look simply pedestrian.
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Overall I feel like the Hawks and Sherman could and should win at least their nominations and by a pretty large margin. Russell Wilson’s not the NFL’s best player (honestly a little surprised he made the list instead of Marshawn Lynch actually), he’s great but there is still much improvement to be made. As for Pete Carroll, he’s a great coach, an elite coach even but I don’t think he’ll win based on the fact that the Spurs were so dominant in their bid for revenge. When you look at Pop’s resume, it’s just too solid for people to pass him over.
Honestly, basically everybody on the list could make a case for deserving the award, but some more than others and there can only be one.
GO HAWKS!