England Lionesses hero capped off a stunning 2022 by being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year on Wednesday. The Euro 2022 star defeated Ben Stokes, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Eve Muirhead, Jessica Gadirova and Jake Wightman to win the award, and she celebrated with her team-mates who won Team of the Year, and Sarina Wiegman won Coach of the Year.
Stokes finished second, with Muirhead third but Mead, who won the Golden Boot and was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2022 as the Lionesses recorded a historic victory, thanked her team-mates and family for their support in her speech. “Sorry I’m speechless for once! Obviously I’m incredibly honoured to win this award,” Mead said with the trophy. “I’ll keep saying it, it’s cliche but I wouldn’t have done it without them girls over there, the team that backed me.
“Yes I’ve got this accolade, I did my job, I scored a few goals but wouldn’t have done it without them. I certainly wouldn’t have done it without my mum, my dad and all my family! But most of all this is for women’s sport and for women’s sport heading in the right direction. Let’s keep pushing girls and let’s keep doing the right thing.”
After being nominated for the award, Mead admitted she was “pinching herself” after the year the Arsenal star had. “The incredible team that walked off the stage got me through it and supported me throughout,” she said.
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“I wouldn’t have played the football I did in the tournament without them! The girls are like my family away from home. When things at home haven’t been great, they supported me so well. I’m still pinching myself, I still think I need time to reflect and look at this year and what’s happened. I’m so grateful and so proud of what I’ve done and what my team’s done.”
After starring on the red carpet with her crutches, she was able to ditch them to receive the award. She is having to use crutches after suffering an ACL injury last month, but Mead did not receive sympathy for long at home as team-mate and partner Vivianne Miedema also suffered an ACL injury during the Gunners’ Champions League defeat to Lyon.
DON’T MISS
I’m A Celebrity winner Jill Scott and Ellen White were among the members of the Euros-winning England team in attendance as they supported their pal, after her six goals and five assists at Euro 2022 inspired the team to glory.
The Young Sports Personality of the Year award was awarded to gymnast Gadirova, while Usain Bolt won the Lifetime Achievement award.
Park Knowle FC founder Mike Alden won the Unsung Hero of the Year award, rugby league legend Rob Burrow won the Helen Rollason award, Kevin Sinfield won the Special Award, Lionel Messi won the World Sport Star award, Team of the Year award went to the England Lionesses and Wiegman won Coach of the Year.
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