THE ESPY AWARDS, NELSON MANDELA VIBE
I’ve received quite a few emails and sms’s and calls about this ESPY Awards vibe that was on TV a couple weeks back. People were really “touched” by their Nelson Mandela “tribute.” For the uninformed, the ESPY Awards is an annual sports awards event created and broadcast by American cable television network ESPN.
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award was given to Nelson Mandela and accepted by his daughter and grandson. It was accompanied by a short documentary that linked Mandela’s already extraordinary life story to a signature sporting event, the 1995 Rugby World Cup .
Here it is. We’ll discuss further afterwards.
Look, it’s a very “moving” vibe which we, as South Africans, are obviously well aware of and proud of and all that. But I’m fascinated that they (ESPN) SUDDENLY do this 15 years after the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
And is it mere radical coincidence they (Hollywood) happen to be releasing a movie this year about the 1995 Rugby World Cup, called “Invictus” - starring Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman. God, such unbelievable timing!
And isn’t it EVEN MORE astounding to learn that Morgan Freeman did the voiceover for the footage at the ESPY Awards?
I smell a red herring here. Could it be that ESPN is in bed with Hollywood?
Look, that’s all business, I suppose – and it was Mandela weekend, or thereabout. But to rope Barack Obama into it as well, to essentially sell a movie!?
Come on, guys….[frowns]…very naughty.
Tsk, tsk.
* Previous 2oceansvibe articles about the Rugby World Cup and movie “Invictus” with Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman, some of which were reprinted in the Boston Globe, can be seen here, here and here.
* Find out more about this courageous Arthur Ashe fellow here.
[thanks dave]
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7 Comments
Rudi
31 Jul 2009
What is James Small wearing??
Matthew
31 Jul 2009
Wow – the tactics employed are very obvious. Nonetheless, still brings a lump to the throat watching Joel nail the drop kick and listening to Francious’ “not 65 000, 43 million” retort.
I wonder if ESPN has a stake in the movie? A great tactic to make americans familiar with the lesser known game of Rugby.
Dad
01 Aug 2009
no surprise that the financiers of the movie also own ESPN!!
Smurfette
01 Aug 2009
Bit like the way you endorse products
By the way, what’s meant by smelling a red herring?
Dean
01 Aug 2009
I saw the ESPY’s and the clip. I was amazed at how they used 1970′s Soweto Riot footage and claim it was just before the World Cup and made it look like SA was in disarray after what was a hugely peaceful 1994 election. Damn Hollywood. I remember thinking that if that is what Invictus is going to be about and “Hollywoods” that we were about to break out in a massive civil war and it was only because of Pienaar’s winning team and Mandela that saved the nation and people voluntary swapped guns for Springbok Jerseys.
Seth Rotherham
01 Aug 2009
Hah, I hear you smurfette! As I said, business is business.
But roping the world’s biggest brand into it, probably without his knowledge, to sell a movie? Naughty.
Mixing up sayings is one of the more funnier things you can do. You should try it. Smelling a rat is boring, smelling a red herring is incorrect and therefore hilarious. We started saying it in the mid-90′s and haven’t stopped.
Like water off a duck’s gift horse.
Shifty
01 Aug 2009
ESPN is owned by Disney, who is no doubt the Producer behind this movie.
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