Comedian Marcello Hernández opened the ESPYS in New York on Wednesday with a monologue that took aim at Jake Paul, Tiger Woods and Bill Belichick, Fox News reported. The ceremony followed a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta in which Lionel Messi and Argentina beat England to reach the final, Fox News wrote.
Hernández made a boxing-style entrance wearing a robe and joked, “Mike Tyson ripped my watch off. Welcome to the ESPYS!” the comedian said, according to Fox News. He then quipped about the mix of athletes and celebrities in the crowd, adding, “I must say, it’s an honor to be here among so many great athletes, and Jake Paul,” Fox News reported.
The comedian continued to needle Paul, a YouTube star turned boxer, joking about Paul’s history of fighting older opponents. “Jake, that’s just a joke. Don’t fight me. My dad and my stepdad are both here. They’re over 50, and I know that’s how you like them. So, fight them instead,” Hernández said, Fox News reported. Cameras showed Paul laughing and applauding during the bit, Fox News added.
Hernández used Caleb Williams’ appearance on the cover of the new “Madden” video game as a setup for a joke about Tiger Woods. “And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto,” he said, according to Fox News. Fox News also noted that Woods was arrested in Florida in March on charges of driving under the influence after a crash and later announced he would take time away from golf to seek treatment.
The comedian also referenced New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick in a joke about the New York Knicks’ long title drought. “The Knicks won their first championship since 1973. And to put into perspective how long ago that was, in 1973 hockey players didn’t wear helmets, basketball had no three-point line. And in 1973, Bill Belichick was the age his girlfriend is now,” Hernández said, Fox News reported. The Knicks won the ESPY for Best Team, and members of the 2025-26 championship roster accepted the award while guard Josh Hart was absent, Fox News added.
Fox News reported other honors at the ceremony included a posthumous Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for former NBA player Jason Collins, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance presented to former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service given to Scott Ruskan. The ESPYS, traditionally held each summer, moved from Los Angeles to New York this year, Fox News said.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
