During the 2019 ESPY Awards Wednesday night, Usher presented the Pat Tillman Award for Service to Marine Corps veteran and amputee Kirstie Ennis.
Following a video about Ennis’s remarkable recovery after losing her leg in 2012 on her second Afghanistan deployment, Usher made the mistake of inserting the wrong joke at the wrong time.
“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.
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?
Viewers were not down with Usher’s comment, which was viewed as insensitive in the #MeToo era, and quickly took to social media to express their opinions.
Hey usher, probably don’t make weird sexual comment about the Marine Vet who lost her leg and just had a whole inspirational video about her. Just a thought.
— Familia Fan Club (@ClubJeurys) July 11, 2019
Yeah Usher, just a taddddd creepy. “Hey this woman lost her leg while serving in Afghanistan and has since climbed a zillion mountains including Everest but what’s REALLY impressive was her climbing Joshua tree naked.” #ESPYS
🙄🙄🙄— christina. (@_ceemarieee) 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
Ouch Usher that was theeeeee worst timing of a joke I’ve ever seen #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/gj7RDsT8iY
— Samantha👽🤦♀️🐱 (@immarobokitty) July 11, 2019
You can watch the awkward moment below:
Usher is such a asshole 🍷 https://t.co/fJLYp85hZB
— THE BLACK GHOST (@TBGHOST_666) July 11, 2019
Luckily 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.
Stick to the script Usher.
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