Dawn Staley calls out pay disparity in powerful ESPY Awards speech

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley delivered an emotional and inspiring speech after winning the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYs on Thursday night.

The award has been given annually since 2007 and is presented to a deserving member of the sports community who has overcome great obstacles. The award is named after former NC State men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano, who said "Don’t give up; don’t ever give up" while terminally ill with cancer during his speech at the 1993 ESPYs.

Staley won her third national championship as a coach for guiding the Gamecocks to an undefeated 38-0 season, but was also recognized for her "leadership in the fight against cancer." Staley has been a major advocate for cancer research and delivered her own powerful speech in honor of Valvano.

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Her push for further cancer research began when her sister, Tracey Underwood, and also former assistant Nikki McCray-Penson were diagnosed with cancer. Underwood's life was saved due to a bone marrow transplant which was donated by her brother, Lawrence, and Staley was inspired from that moment to raise awareness.

During the speech, Staley also questioned why she gets paid less for winning more in a selfless and impactful message. "It's the fight for me, the unwillingness to give up or to quit. I think that's why I stand here today," Staley said on stage.

"I'm not the one to back down and give up, and believe me, I'm not perfect. I still clap back at people who troll me on social media. I can't help myself but I'm working on it. But every once in a while I get perspective, and I remember why I fight so hard.

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"I try my best to do things in the right way, knowing that some little girl is out there watching me. Maybe she's growing up in the projects of north Philadelphia like I did, or maybe she's in a rural town somewhere.

"Or maybe, she's one of the 13 pairs of eyes that see every little thing I do everyday and make sure to comment on it, that's my team." Staley then beckoned to the South Carolina team in the crowd, and continued: "If they could stand up and be recognized."

"How do I not fight in justice when I ask them to do things the right way? How do I not fight for fairness when I ask them not to cheat themselves? How do I not fight for equity, when I tell them they can climb as high as they want, they can be all that they want.

"How do I not fight pay disparity, when I do the same job and get paid less but win more? I can't ask them to stand up for themselves if I'm sitting down. Nor can I ask them to use their voice for change if I'm only willing to whisper."

Staley's full speech was met with huge support online, and even The V Foundation thanked the Gamecocks coach for everything she continues to do. "You are so deserving, @dawnstaley . Thank you for choosing to help others no matter what. That is the definition of perseverance," it wrote on social media.