The tragic shooting that took place last year in Jacksonville, Florida at a Madden 19 tournament shook the gaming community in its violence. This year, at least one victim of the incident showed you can’t keep a great player down. Tim “oLARRY” Anselimo of the Cavs Legion NBA 2K League team was among those shot in the incident, but has since returned to active play, and his return garnered him an ESPY award for Best Esports Moment in 2019.
The ESPYs (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) awards began in 1993 and have recognized exemplary efforts in the traditional sports world every year since. Over 230,000 votes were cast among several options for the award. In particular, oLARRY’s return to the NBA 2K League beat out Ninja’s win with Marshmello at the E3 Fortnite Celebrity Pro-AM. Despite esports’ massive gain in popularity, 2019 has been the first year that the ESPYs included an esports category. That makes oLARRY the first person ever to be awarded an esports ESPY as well - a fact that was not lost on him.
“Thank you to everyone who voted. This award is for US, the community,” oLARRY wrote after the votes had been cast and the decision was made.
The first-ever Best Esports Moment ESPY goes to @oLARRY2K! pic.twitter.com/UnNMjujZg8
— ESPYS (@ESPYS) July 10, 2019
oLARRY was shot three times in the incident which claimed four lives and injured several more. His injuries left his right thumb detached and required reconstructive surgery. Nonetheless, after he made it through his operations and recovered, oLARRY came to Cavs Legion and has started every game with them this season. In their current season, oLARRY is contributing a reliable 10 points and 6 rebounds on average per game. “Some people are telling me I’m playing better this year than last year,” oLARRY told ESPN in an interview during the ESPYs event. “So [I] don’t let something like this defeat me.”
Whether his team wins or loses, Tim “oLARRY” Anselimo certainly went out of his way to rise from the worst of situations and make something of himself back in the scene he loves. For the first ESPY to go to an esports athlete, it likely couldn’t go to a more inspirational figure and better story in competitive gaming. Congrats to oLARRY on the Best Esports Moment in the 2019 ESPYs.
[Image by NBA 2K League]
