Mike Tyson Shohei Ohtani ESPYs became a viral moment Wednesday night when Mike Tyson, presenting an absent winner, asked on stage if Shohei was “a guy.” The quick exchange drew immediate attention while the show acknowledged Ohtani’s ESPY for best single-game performance.
Mike Tyson Shohei Ohtani ESPYs: What happened
Tyson and Jake Paul were on stage to present the award when Tyson announced the winner and, after saying Shohei Ohtani’s name, turned to Paul and asked, “Shohei’s a guy?” The brief aside — plain and uncluttered by explanation — was captured live and circulated widely on social platforms within minutes.
The moment was short and unembellished: Tyson named the winner, Paul relayed that Ohtani could not attend, and the back-and-forth finished with Paul confirming Ohtani’s gender in a light, matter-of-fact way.
Ohtani’s award and why he won
Shohei Ohtani received the ESPY for best single-game performance for his Game 4 showing in last fall’s NLDS, when he hit three home runs and struck out 10 batters. That performance combined rare power and dominance and was singled out by voters for recognition at the ceremony.
The award honored that specific game rather than a season-long accomplishment, underscoring why the trophy cited a single standout outing.
The Mike Tyson and Jake Paul exchange
The exchange on stage was succinct and played out like this on live television:
“And the ESPY award goes to — check this out — Shohei Ohtani,” Tyson said.
“Shohei’s a guy?”
“Shohei could not be here tonight, he sends his gratitude and appreciate to everyone at ESPN,” Jake Paul replied.
“Yeah, he’s a guy. He’s a guy,” Paul added.
Those one-line remarks were repeated in many reposts, with commentators noting the clip’s brevity and the way it overshadowed the award announcement itself. The onstage dialogue was presented as a live, unscripted interaction rather than an attempt to question Ohtani’s identity.
Broadcast reaction and show notes
Beyond the Tyson-Paul moment, viewers and critics flagged several odd or awkward elements in the telecast. The Savannah Bananas opened the show with a performance that many described as attention-grabbing and unconventional, setting an early tone for a broadcast heavy on spectacle.
Commentators also pointed to uneven segments and jokes that failed to land, creating a mix of memorable highlights and awkward beats across the night. That combination helped ensure the Tyson clip remained one of the most circulated moments after the show.
Social media users and sports commentators replayed the short exchange alongside clips of Ohtani’s Game 4, often contrasting the viral moment with the athletic achievement the award was meant to honor.
Source attribution
This report is based on Fox News coverage. Watch the exact moment here: https://www.foxnews.com/outkick-sports/watch-exact-moment-stunned-mike-tyson-finds-out-shohei-ohtani-man-espys.
For additional context and broader show coverage, see ESPN’s coverage of the ESPYs: https://www.espn.com.
