In a triumphant recognition of her exceptional contributions to football, Mary Earps, the esteemed goalkeeper for both England and Manchester United, has been bestowed with the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award for 2023. At 30 years old, Earps expressed both gratitude and disbelief upon receiving the award, reflecting on her remarkable journey in the realm of professional football.
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Earps played a pivotal role in the Lionesses’ campaign at the Women’s World Cup, showcasing exceptional skill and resilience throughout the tournament. Her journey, however, was not without its challenges. In 2019, she faced setbacks when she was dropped from the Lionesses and contemplated international retirement. Despite these obstacles, Earps turned adversity into determination, using the challenges as fuel for her journey to success.
Her standout performance in the Women’s World Cup, particularly her crucial penalty save against Spain’s Jenni Hermoso in the final, drew widespread acclaim. Despite the Lionesses falling short with a 1-0 defeat in Sydney, Earps’ stellar performance did not go unnoticed.
Mary Earps emerged victorious in the vote, surpassing retired England cricketer Stuart Broad and world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who secured the second and third positions, respectively. Other nominees included wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett, jockey Frankie Dettori, and golf star Rory McIlroy.
This triumph marks the third consecutive year with a female recipient of the prestigious award, following in the footsteps of US Open champion Emma Raducanu in 2021 and Earps’ England teammate Beth Mead in 2022. Earps’ achievement stands as a testament to her outstanding performance and resilience, having kept an impressive 14 clean sheets last season and played a crucial role in leading Manchester United to a second-place finish in the Women’s Super League.
In celebrating Mary Earps’ remarkable journey and her significant impact on the world of football, the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award for 2023 is not only an individual honor but also a recognition of resilience, skill, and unwavering determination.
