NEW YORK - While the trophy told a tale, the smile was the story.
Michigan hockey center Mike Legg's grin last night stretched from ear to ear as he won an ESPY for Outrageous Play of the Year at ESPN's annual ESPY awards ceremony held at Radio City Music Hall. His visage accurately displayed the pride shown by a college student trapped in the public eye.
Legg was also one of three finalists for Play of the Year. Former Michigan great and Heisman trophy-winner Desmond Howard edged out Legg for the award with his 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Green Bay Packers' win at the Super Bowl over the New England Patriots. Normally, Legg shies away from attention, allowing teammates to garner the recognition off the ice. But in this instance, Legg shifted the spotlight onto himself.
Last March, at the NCAA West Regional Final in East Lansing, Legg stood behind the goal with the puck, his team trailing by a goal and on the brink of elimination. Michigan needed a goal, and this was Legg's opportunity to contribute to the effort.
He did - in spectacular fashion.
Legg picked up the puck on the blade of his stick and flung it into the net over Minnesota goalie Steve DeBus' left shoulder. The game (which Michigan would eventually win on its way to the national championship) was tied, and Legg was soon to be immortalized.
The goal was regarded by ESPN anchor Dan Patrick as "the greatest hockey goal (he'd) ever seen." A Swedish magazine, Inside Hockey, agreed.
As one of the many awards Legg has received in recognition of his goal, the magazine flew him to Sweden to accept the honor. But Monday night was an event which stood above all others for the London, Ontario, native.
Legg's ESPY was announced in the pre-awards show hosted by SportsCenter anchors Keith Olbermann and Patrick. When describing the goal to the audience, Olbermann explained it as "Mike Legg putting the pizza in the oven."
The ESPYs, hosted by comedian Jeff Foxworthy, continued a fifth year of honoring outstanding, unusual and, fortunately for Legg, outrageous events in the world of sports. Despite not receiving the opportunity to give an acceptance speech, Legg said he was pleased with the trip as a whole.
"I love being here," he said. "This city is not like Ann Arbor."
Surrounded by luminaries like Muhammed Ali and Ray Charles, Legg was a part of select company, and he realized it.
"There are so many famous people in this hotel," he said.
As a part of the package, Legg was assigned to the hotel where many other presenters were also staying. But that was only a part of the New York experience for the Michigan senior.
As the rest of his teammates sat through classes and participated in practice on campus, Legg was getting off a plane and into a limousine, living the life of luxury.
His first trip to the Big Apple was an experience he won't soon forget. While marvelling at the immense size of the New York skyscrapers, Legg repeatedly commented on how unbelievable the entire experience was.
The voyage to the Big Apple was not a trip Legg made alone, however.
When he was informed that he could bring a guest for the weekend, his father was an easy choice.
The man who taught him how to skate also was making his first trip to New York, and he stood in awe of the sights.
"The buildings are so tall," Chuck Legg said. "Everywhere you look, there's another one."
ESPN arranged all the travel plans for the visit and handled Legg in a first-class manner. The network outfitted the two guests with tuxedos for the ceremony, passes to a party afterwards at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and a fancy room at the Omni-Berkshire Hotel.
Dressed formally for the black-tie affair, the Leggs blended into the masses of bow ties, and throughout the festivities, both men displayed similar reactions to the awe-inspiring day.
They smiled.
WARREN ZINN/Daily
Michigan hockey center Mike Legg takes in the sites of New York City yesterday during a trip to the Big Apple to accept an ESPY award for "Outrageous Play of the Year."