Watch: Shane Gillis makes Deshaun Watson massage scandal joke at ESPYs 2025

Shane Gillis, during the ESPYs 2025, poked fun at NFL Quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was accused of sexual harassment during massage treatments.

Published on: Jul 17, 2025, 07:55:22 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Shane Gillis' hosting of the ESPYs 2025 may have been met with mixed reactions, but his humour during the award show has been undeniable, though some may view it to be controversial.

Deshaun Watson first faced a complaint of sexual harassment in March 2021. (Reuters )

From Jeffrey Epstein to Caitlin Clark, nobody seemed to be beyond Gillis' rapier wit at the ESPN-organised award ceremony. The host also managed to take potshots at NFL Quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Deshaun Watson joke explained

Gillis quipped, "Put your hands where my eyes can see is what they say when Deshaun Watson gets a massage".

For the unaware, Watson first faced a complaint of sexual harassment in March 2021. The complainant alleged that Watson sexually harassed her during a massage treatment. The very next month, 22 other women came forward, accusing him of behaving in the same way with them.

Also Read | When Caitlin Clark retires…: Watch Shane Gillis' ESPYS joke on Indiana Fever basketballer

Watson, however, managed to largely settle most of these lawsuits.

Shane Gillis draws mixed reactions

Despite Gillis's best attempts, his opening speech only drew mixed reactions.

Gillis' performance drew mixed reviews on social media, with some calling him “hilarious” and others “cringey.” When he made the joke on Caitlin Clark, he drew some laughs, but others looked uncomfortable.

Before the end of his speech, Gillis addressed the crowd, saying,"I see a lot of you don’t like me, and that’s okay. That's it for me. That went about exactly how we all thought it was going to go. I don't know why this happened.”

Winners at ESPYs

The Indianapolis Colts and former US Open tennis champion Sloane Stephens were among the winners at the 11th annual Sports Humanitarian Awards.

The Colts were honoured as the team of the year for their Kicking the Stigma campaign to raise mental health awareness and expand access to treatment.

Also Read | 'Must have deleted itself...': Shane Gillis jokes about 'moving on' with Epstein row in his ESPYs speech

Stephens received the Muhammad Ali award for her namesake foundation that works to make tennis more inclusive through access, representation and support for kids on and off the court. She beat out Washington Wizards guard CJ McCollum and Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin.

Michele Kang, the billionaire owner of the NWSL’s Washington Spirit, was chosen as the Sports Philanthropist of the Year. Billy Bean, former MLB player and executive, was honoured with the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award on Wednesday night.

(With AP inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Catch all the latest Sports News, scores, and highlights in one place. Stay updated with real-time coverage of your favorite games and athletes along with Lionel Messi latest updates.