*The ESPY Awards from Wednesday night are back in the news again for another sorry performance on stage. This time the spotlight is on Usher Raymond.
The singer’s sorry performance mimicked supposed funnyman Tracy Morgan in that he wasn’t funny either when he tried to tell a joke about Kirstie Ennis, the Marine Corps veteran and amputee that he presented the Pat Tillman Award to.
Here’s what happened. Following an inspiring and empowering video about Ennis’s remarkable recovery after losing her leg in 2012 on her second Afghanistan deployment, and her many amazing triumphs and accomplishments since, Usher decided he wanted play comedian and inserted the wrong joke at the wrong time and his response was crickets (as you can see/hear in the video above).
“And if that wasn’t enough, you guys don’t know, she also, too, climbed in Joshua tree, naked,” Usher said to a quiet room. He added, “She deserves an award for that, alone. Tattoos, crazy,” before introducing Ennis and welcoming her to the stage.
Dang, talk about a wrong move at the wrong time. Usher’s comment, which was viewed as insensitive in the #MeToo era, was not appreciated by viewers who quickly took to social media to light his arse up.
DISABLED VETERANS SPEAK OUT ABOUT RACIST NOTE LEFT ON THEIR CAR [VIDEO]
Did Usher really need to ad lib during his introduction of Kirstie Ennis as the Pat Tillman Award for Service recipient and mention her naked mountain climbing? Full stop. #ESPYS
— Kelly M (@kellym506) July 11, 2019
A naked comment in the #MeToo
Era bold move usher #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/SxALMFPSEI— Human Comments (@Human_Comments_) July 11, 2019
woman wins award for accomplishing amazing things and surviving indescribable pain. man sexualizes her at the last minute. #espys
— wendy (@wini_s) July 11, 2019
This was definitely not a good look for Ursh, but fortunately, it didn’t overshadow Ennis’s inspiring acceptance speech and final message to everyone watching.
“I am one of the lucky ones who came home. Broken, but I’m still here, and I still can. So I will continue every day for those who can’t. Let this be my message tonight. To the athletes in this room, to people in the military brotherhood and to everyone out there watching, rest a moment less, endure a fraction more and try to make peace with whatever your pain may be,” said Ennis to a standing ovation.
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