Photo Credits: Chris Owens IndyCar
Vroom, vroom! She’s ready to race her way on over to get the honorary, gold slime dousing as professional racecar driver and sports icon Danica Patrick will be honored with the “Legend Award” at the highly-anticipated 2018 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports. The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports never fails to bring an endless amount of excitement as it highlights all of the greatest sports moments from this year and fan-favorite sports stars.
This year’s brilliant award show is bound to be even more remarkable as the stupendous Danica Patrick will be receiving the most prestigious award at the event. Danica Patrick is truly an inspiration to all. She made history as the first female winner in the IndyCar Series and she continues to motivate everyone to work hard and go after their dreams. She brings out so much girl power and confidence with everything and anything that she does and it’s clear to see that the phenomenal Danica Patrick is more than deserving of this exceptional award.
Danica Patrick shared her excitement over receiving the “Legend Award” at this year’s Kids’ Choice Sports and said, “It’s such an honor to receive the Kids’ Choice Sports Legend Award from Nickelodeon. I decided when I was 10 years old I wanted to be a racecar driver. I dreamed big, believed in myself, worked hard, took chances and made the most of every opportunity. Today, I’m honored to be a positive influence on kids and encourage them to stay true to themselves and what they believe in; keep dreaming big and working hard. Bring on the gold slime!” (source: press release)
The outstanding and admirable Danica Patrick is being awarded for her incredible achievements both on and off the racetrack. She has definitely impacted the lives of many with her dedication and passion for what she does. Danica Patrick joins a list of other renowned and respected athletes who have received the “Legend Award” including Michael Phelps, Kobe Bryant, David Beckham and Derek Jeter.
To add onto all of the fun, Nickelodeon also announced the top nominees for the KCS. Female athletes are slaying the game as Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Jamie Anderson and Mikaela Shiffrin all received three nominations each. First-time nominees at the Kids’ Choice Sports this year include Lonzo Ball, Danny Amendola, Nick Foles, Alex and Maia Shibutani, Allisha Gray, Aaron Judge and Adam Rippon. In addition, other spectacular nominees include Lindsey Vonn, Cristiano Ronaldo, Venus Williams, Katie Ledecky, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Rob Gronkowski and Von Miller.
In addition, there are also three, awesome and new categories at the 2018 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports. According to the press release, “Kids can vote on three new categories this year including: “Nothing But Net,” highlighting athletes who score the shots; “Heavy Hitters,” celebrating the power-hitters; and “Winter Wonders,” featuring those who dominate the cold weather.”
Check out the list below to see the categories and nominees for the 2018 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports! Additional categories will be announced closer to the show. Don’t forget to tune in to see all of the sports-filled fun at the 2018 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports airing July 21st at 8:00 PM ET / PT hosted by Houston Rockets’ Point Guard Chris Paul. Comment below and tell me or tweet me at @alexisjoyvipacc, are YOU excited to see Danica Patrick get doused in gold slime as she receives the “Legend Award?” Who do you want to see win a coveted, mohawked blimp at the event?!
Follow @Nickelodeon on Twitter and Instagram and join in on the conversation by using #KidsChoiceSports
2018 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Sports Nominees:
FAVORITE MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETE
They are, simply put, the best athletes of the year. Driving the offense or barreling through the toughest defense, they never cease to amaze fans with their athleticism, moves and mastery of the game. In short, the nominees for these two categories represent the best male and female athletes currently competing in traditional sports.
FAVORITE MALE ATHLETE
Cristiano Ronaldo (La Liga, Real Madrid C.F., Portugal National Football team)
James Harden (NBA, Houston Rockets)
José Altuve (MLB, Houston Astros)
LeBron James (NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Sidney Crosby (NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins)
Tom Brady (NFL, New England Patriots)
FAVORITE FEMALE ATHLETE
Alex Morgan (NWSL, Orlando Pride, US Women’s National Team)
Chloe Kim (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
Jamie Anderson (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
Katie Ledecky (Competitive Swimmer, US Team)
Mikaela Shiffrin (Skiing, US Ski Team)
Sloane Stephens (WTA)
Venus Williams (WTA)
KING OF SWAG AND QUEEN OF SWAG
All professional athletes do incredible things, but there are a select few who also look incredible while they’re doing it. The male and female nominees in these two categories are the best dressed and most stylin’ athletes off the court.
KING OF SWAG
Adam Rippon (Professional Figure Skater, US Team)
Chris Paul (NBA, Houston Rockets)
Neymar Jr. (France Ligue 1, Brazil National Football Team, Paris Saint-Germain)
Odell Beckham Jr. (NFL, New York Giants)
P.K. Subban (NHL, Nashville Predators)
Russell Westbrook (NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder)
Travis Kelce (NFL, Kansas City Chiefs)
QUEEN OF SWAG
Brighton Zeuner (Professional Skateboarder)
Ibtihaj Muhammad (Fencing, US Team)
Jamie Anderson (Professional Snowboarder)
Michelle Wie (LPGA)
Serena Williams (WTA)
Skylar Diggins-Smith (WNBA, Dallas Wings)
Sydney Leroux (NWSL, Orlando Pride)
BEST CANNON
Some of the most incredible arms in sports belong to athletes from the worlds of baseball and football. This category honors pitchers and quarterbacks with the strongest arms in the game.
Aaron Rodgers (NFL, Green Bay Packers)
Clayton Kershaw (MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers)
Corey Kluber (MLB, Cleveland Indians)
Dak Prescott (NFL, Dallas Cowboys)
Justin Verlander (MLB, Houston Astros)
Russell Wilson (NFL, Seattle Seahawks)
BIGGEST POWERHOUSE
This award honors those players that are an undeniable force on the field, court and in the ring. Like a freight train or a Mack Truck, these athletes have so much power in their play that they cannot be stopped. They are the power forwards that slam dunk with such force they can shatter a backboard, the football players that move with such power that it takes an entire team to stop them and the MMA fighter that is unstoppable in the ring.
Anthony Davis (NBA, New Orleans Pelicans)
Draymond Green (NBA, Golden State Warriors)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA, Milwaukee Bucks)
Joel Embiid (NBA, Philadelphia 76ers)
Rob Gronkowski (NFL, New England Patriots)
Rose Namajunas (MMA)
Von Miller (NFL, Denver Broncos)
HEAVY HITTER
This award celebrates the power hitter athletes with the biggest swings and strongest shots on the baseball field, tennis court, ice rink and golf course. These athletes have unbeatable strength and it shows with their impressive, game-winning hits.
Aaron Judge (MLB, New York Yankees)
Alex Ovechkin (NHL, Washington Capitals)
Bryce Harper (MLB, Washington Nationals)
Dustin Johnson (Golf)
Giancarlo Stanton (MLB, New York Yankees)
Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson (U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey Team)
Venus Williams (WTA)
CLUTCH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Teammates rely on these athletes to make the plays when it counts the most. Their participation is clutch to the success of their teams, and the fans know it. The nominees in this category come from a variety of sports and alter the game just by being on the field.
Carli Lloyd (NWSL, Sky Blue FC, US Women’s National Team)
Chris Paul (NBA, Houston Rockets)
Katie Ledecky (Competitive Swimmer, US Team)
Kevin Durant (NBA, Golden State Warriors)
Lionel Messi (La Liga, FC Barcelona, Argentina National Football Team)
Nick Foles (NFL, Philadelphia Eagles)
DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME
They flip, fly and soar their way into the highlight reels of the X Games and other action sports competitions on the regular, and kids can’t get enough. They’re the death-defying athletes who risk their lives and limbs every day to accomplish the impossible.
Chloe Kim (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
Colton Walker (BMX)
Ibtihaj Muhammad (Fencing, US Team)
Lakey Peterson (World Surf League)
Mirai Nagasu (Professional Figure Skaters, US Team)
Nyjah Huston (Professional Skateboarder)
Shaun White (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
FAVORITE NEWCOMER
The excitement surrounding a new sports prospect can be incredible, especially when that prospect starts to deliver on the anticipation of greatness. The nominees in this category represent the first or second year pros who have lived up to the hype–in other words, the newbie that is most likely to succeed.
Aaron Judge (MLB, New York Yankees)
Allisha Gray (WNBA, Dallas Wings)
Ben Simmons (NBA, Philadelphia 76ers)
Deshaun Watson (NFL, Houston Texans)
Donovan Mitchell (NBA, Utah Jazz)
Lonzo Ball (NBA, Los Angeles Lakers)
Red Gerard (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
HANDS OF GOLD
Every season has its most-talked-about, spectacular or awe-inspiring catches and saves. The nominees in this category represent athletes from the MLB, NFL, NHL and U.S. Women’s Ice Hockey team. These athletes have made the most unbelievable, highlight reel-worthy catches and incredible saves of the year.
Antonio Brown (NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Danny Amendola (NFL, Miami Dolphins)
Julio Jones (NFL, Atlanta Falcons)
Maddie Rooney (U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey Team)
Nolan Arenado (MLB, Colorado Rockies)
Pekka Rinne (NHL, Nashville Predators)
NEED FOR SPEED
This award honors those players that live life in the fast lane. Whether it’s skiing, skating, driving or sledding, these athletes bring the fast and furious to the race. They are the lightning quick speed demons that won’t stop until they’re in first, and the rest of the competition eats their dust.
Chris Mazdzer (Luge, US Team)
Jimmie Johnson (NASCAR)
John-Henry Krueger (Speed Skating, US Team)
Kyle Busch (NASCAR)
Lindsey Vonn (Skiing, US Team)
Mikaela Shiffrin (Skiing, US Team)
SICKEST MOVES
Professional athletes make it look so easy that sometimes fans forget the sheer agility required to play with the best of the best–until they see the nominees of this category do their thing. They’re the soccer players with the mind-blowing dribble, the hockey players who can do amazing things on skates, the football players who dazzle us with their fancy footwork, or the basketball players with the best ball handling skills.
Alex Morgan (NWSL, Orlando Pride, US Women’s National Team)
Alex Ovechkin (NHL, Washington Capitals)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (NBA, Milwaukee Bucks)
Le’Veon Bell (NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers)
Russell Westbrook (NBA, Oklahoma City Thunder)
Stephen Curry (NBA, Golden State Warriors)
Zlatan Ibrahimović (MLS, LA Galaxy)
NOTHING BUT NET
You need to score to win, and these nominees are the ones scoring the shots! This category honors the most accurate scorers in the game. These are the players who maneuver through the most striking defensive plays and still make the shot, who can come out of a foul and still make the goal, and who work hard at every practice to play an amazingly accurate game.
Alex Morgan (NWSL, Orlando Pride, US Women’s National Team)
Chris Paul (NBA, Houston Rockets)
James Harden (NBA, Houston Rockets)
J.J. Redick (NBA Philadelphia 76ers)
Klay Thompson (NBA, Golden State Warriors)
Kyle Korver (NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Patrick Kane (NHL, Chicago Blackhawks)
Patrik Laine (NHL, Winnipeg Jets)
WINTER WONDERS
These athletes dominate the cold. Their unparalleled strength, grace and agility turn into wins on the slopes and on the ice, proving that these elite winter athletes are the best in the world.
Adam Rippon (Professional Figure Skater, US Team)
Alex and Maia Shibutani (Professional Figure Skaters, US Team)
Chloe Kim (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
Jamie Anderson (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
Mikaela Shiffrin (Skiing, US Team)
Red Gerard (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
Shaun White (Professional Snowboarder, US Team)
