Ahead of the 2024 ESPYs, Footwear News is taking a look back at the best sneakers ever worn on the award show’s red carpet.
While formal footwear has historically been the norm, there have been a few notable exceptions over the years, with the mid-2010s marking the height of wearing rare pairs of sneakers to the ESPY Awards. Air Jordans have been the go to for celebrities and athletes looking to mix things up, but among the other highlights are the iconic Nike Air Yeezy 2 “Red October” and a range of Nike Air Force 1 Lows.
Take a look at the best sneakers ever worn to the ESPYs below.
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Terrell Owens in the Nike Air Force 1 Low at the 2007 ESPYs
Image Credit: WireImage HOLLYWOOD – JULY 11: NFL player Terrell Owens arrives to the 2007 ESPY Awards at the Kodak Theatre on July 11, 2007 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage)
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Cedric Ceballos in the Nike Kobe 6 Think Pink at the 2012 ESPYs
Image Credit: WireImage LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 11: Former NBA player Cedric Ceballos (R) and guest arrive at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)
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Jesse Williams in the Nike Air Yeezy 2 Red October at the 2014 ESPYs
Image Credit: WireImage arrives at the 2014 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Clint Dempsey in the Air Jordan 3 Wolf Grey at the 2014 ESPYs
Image Credit: Getty Images attends The 2014 ESPYS at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Floyd Mayweather’s Sons in the Nike Air Force 1 Low Independence Day and Nike LeBron 11 South Beach at the 2014 ESPYs
Image Credit: Getty Images attends The 2014 ESPYS at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on July 16, 2014 in Los Angeles, California.
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Baron Davis in the Air Jordan 4 11Lab 4 at the 2015 ESPYs
Image Credit: WireImage attends The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
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Jimmy Butler in the Air Jordan 3 Oregon Ducks Pit Crew at the 2015 ESPYs
Image Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 15: NBA player Jimmy Butler arrives at the 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater on July 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)
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Odell Beckham Jr. in the Shoe Surgeons custom Air Force 1 Low at the 2019 ESPYs
Image Credit: FilmMagic LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 10: Odell Beckham Jr. attends The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Phillip Faraone/FilmMagic)
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Tracy Morgan in the Air Jordan 9 at the 2021 ESPYs
Image Credit: Getty Images NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 10: Tracy Morgan and Maven Sonae Morgan attend the 2021 ESPY Awards at Rooftop At Pier 17 on July 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
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Mookie Betts in the Air Jordan 1 High Shadow at the 2022 ESPYs
Image Credit: FilmMagic HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 20: Mookie Betts attends the 2022 ESPYs at Dolby Theatre on July 20, 2022 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
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Melanie Barcenas in the Off-White x Nike Air Force 1 Low Brooklyn at the 2023 ESPYs
Image Credit: FilmMagic HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – JULY 12: Melanie Barcenas attends the 2023 ESPYs Awards at the Dolby Theatre on July 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/FilmMagic)
