Jimmy V recipient Chris Nikic's inspiring 2021 ESPYS speech

[@patrickperot6296]

I'm still crying. What an inspirational young man! ANYTHING is possible and you can overcome ANY adversity if you dream big and work hard!

[@LesterRilea]

I met Chris and his dad Nik in the pool in 2019. Nik told me about their goal for Chris to finish an 140.6 mile Ironman Triathlon as we watched Chris slowly swim from one end of the pool to the other and back. I've completed 35 triathlons, including 2 140.6 mile Ironman races and I left that conversation without any doubt that Chris would accomplish his goals. Nik and his wife deserve a ton of credit for what Chris has accomplished. It's simply amazing.

[@jonathanturek5846]

Awesome.. Its a small world isn't it ! Aloha

[@MrAnderson84]

I Just watched 17 hours and it broke me. It was beautiful and Chris did a heck of a job. He brings inspiration to everyone

[@ryancallsin]

Lmaao that dance is killin me 😂. Awesome to see Chris get the recognition he deserves.

[@alexanderl9985]

😂😂😂

[@PaulSelormey]

My dreams are bigger than my pain. Thank you, catch that!

[@chrisroesener6601]

Love to this young man, his family and to everyone he inspires

[@jonijavier]

That man is living his best life, and I'm all for it!

[@MikeCee7]

I just had the honor to meet and lake swim with Chris this weekend that Lucky’s Lake and Orlando. It was a real honor to meet him. I met Chris and his dad, along with some other Florida Special Olympian athletes. It was Very inspirational.!

[@TheBeale44]

Outstanding work Chris!!! 1% at a time

[@therealcommenter2790]

I love this man. Period. ✊🏿

[@patrickperot6296]

Amen brother!

[@JR_187_]

🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@katiewilliams5643]

This is awesome congratulations Chris so we’ll deserved and thank you special olympics for nominating this man he deserves this

[@jonathanturek5846]

I had tv in background on mute and was painting 1 of my arch-Mosaic (architecture) style and for some reason I stopped and looked over at tv when Chris just started his speech.. If it wasn't for the captions I would have completely missed it.. About 20 seconds in I put down my brush and turned it up... The part that got my attention was the sincerity and of course what Chris was speaking on.. Sincerity is a big deal to me. I'm brutally honest person but say exactly what I think and when its negative I keep it to myself unless I'm directly asked or its effecting someone I love and the person needs to b told. My sisters would ask if there dress made them look fat and if it did I would say "yah" of course I got a dirty look but they learned that I wasn't going to be fake and say " oh no it looks great" and tell them some BS that they wanted to hear like my other sisters would always do. They would say the nice lie instead of mean truth ... All that to stress I know sincerity..i live by that my whole life That speech to me was straight from the heart. He had 100% my attention. And I was inspired and moved by it. More than any speech I've heard in a long time. It really made me reflect on my life and how I am no way living up to my potential and have excuses for my laziness and would justify that giving up is a he'll of a lot easier than the latter than not giving up. And not putting to much on my plate sometimes I raise my goals too high and that results in me quitting when I fail at my lofty short term goals.. His whole 1% philosophy made me think this young man is talking some real truth here and I probably should have thought of it a long time ago... I know this is long winded but I wanted to express clearly my appreciation and gratitude and why.. Because I wanted people to realize what I had to say ☝ Aloha & Mahalo JT

[@gwenjones3845]

Loving you forever Dante’! I know you’re keeping heaven in stitches laughing! Rest well cousin. 🕊️💙

[@briantneary2248]

I had never seen this before. What an amazing young man

[@deeptigupta4023]

Amazing speech! “My dream is bigger than my fricking pain” - words to live by!

[@anthonyvargas._]

God bless him! Well deserved.

[@hiroprotagonist921]

What an ABSOLUTE CHAD. we love you sir, you helped me through a lot of rough days. You make me proud to be an American, thank you sir 🖤❤️🖤

[@divinecomedy0]

He’s adorable, speaks his truth, perseveres and inspires. 💪👏🏼😊💗

[@peterinfante6187]

This was simply amazing!!! Makes my heart smile as a I just lost my uncle Tony whom had down syndrome 4 weeks short of his 67th birthday. Keep inspiring young man...

[@TheLongjohntim]

Chris wrote this speech and gave it without a TelePrompTer or cue cards he did it from memory. Very impressive for anyone.

[@fullyloadedworkouts9514]

Congratulations Chris!

[@Deetroiter]

I’d like to think that people like the Hoyts and Chris Nikic are trailblazers in showing they no matter how tough the road is, no matter how stacked the odds may be…there is NOTHING that can stop you. True beasts and legendary athletes

[@deborahbailey6205]

What an inspiration. I was empowered by his message. Absolutely Love Him💥

[@judychandler8485]

I love this guy..He's such an inspiration 💕

[@zennycollins351]

Powerful story of perseverance and determination ... story of a unique young man who indeed highlights and corroborates that there no quitting if you want to achieve your big dreams... 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@ruthjones8418]

Great job Chris!!

[@eliza2090]

What an inspiration he is! GOD Bless him!

[@jonathanturek5846]

:) Wasn't that awesome !! the best speech I've heard for a long time. Sincere and inspirational Aloha---> JT

[@jonathanturek5846]

And God Bless You Too !!

[@djschu116]

How could anybody dislike this?

[@Absolutelybeyond]

Few have inspired me more this passed year! Well deserved recognition!!

[@zennycollins351]

Congratulations Chris and keep moving forward !!!! 👏👏👏👏👏😍

[@benbenita8628]

"My Dream was to be like you, to be included, to be independent...." LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!! Inspiring others to Inspire others!!!! Thank you for sharing your story and NEVER GIVING UP!

[@jonathanturek5846]

Rodger that ! Awesome.. Makes all my grumbling and complaining feel petty. and I realized I could learn a lot from him and I'm probably twice his age.. AlohaJT

[@benbenita8628]

@@jonathanturek5846 THIS is what it's all about. Think about how many people there are like him, facing challenges in life. Most are afraid to even try, fewer still are willing to share their journey. THIS is what I think life is all about. SHARE YOUR STRUGGLES AND HOW YOU OCERCAME THEM!!! No one ever benefits only seeing your success, EVERYONE benefits seeing your journey!!!

[@egyptianftw2193]

Wow! What a strong individual! The way he deals with nothing his whole life!!

[@todormitrovic8124]

Montenegro is proud of you and your family Chris!

[@rashelhall8593]

So Amazing!! To God Be The Glory

[@jonathanturek5846]

My thoughts exactly ! God bless you too ! Aloha--> JT

[@1023Endurance]

People have no idea how hard an Ironman is for a fully able bodied person. Not that he isn't able bodied-That sounds bad- but you know what I mean. Well done, young man

[@themoonandstars8868]

Chris, YOU ARE AWESOME!

[@RTNFlacko]

My boy got drippy for the award show

[@gloriamoore3560]

God bless you brother

[@jonathanturek5846]

God bless you too ! Aloha

[@jessicamoise8454]

Sweet person inspiration man congrats well said

[@ruthjones8418]

Very well done

[@rillp2160]

Buddy gettin some tonight! 🦾😅

[@thedeepthoughtschannel4915]

I went to school with this legend.

[@AlexPomeroy13]

That is a awesome

[@yunjinman]

🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤❤❤❤

[@MikeCee7]

Is there a clip of the introduction to him before he won the award?

[@GArrettMcIntosh]

DAD

[@dudh]

Nikic and Poirier winning on the same night. Gang Baby

[@Braydentibbetts01]

Hey man nice job

[@scruffd0g193]

Dance at the end.😂😂😂

[@Gaudzilla]

It’s funny to think that his goal was to become like the average person who was included and independent, and in the process exceeded the average person by a long shot!!!!

[@Soccercrazyigboman]

My man roasted the deep south 🤣. How did nobody catch that

[@valeriefolse9452]

I caught his quip not sure how to feel about that

[@robertreeves7845]

Oh I caught it and it turned me off right then and there.

[@patrickperot6296]

This dude just achieved pimp status. Props.

[@jaypop7385]

👏👏👏🤣❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥💪🏻💪🏻🙏🙏🙏

[@brett099]

1

[@manujoshi4467]

hey i thought one of the steps would be smoking hot

[@CoolReptiles70]

This is hilarious 😂

[@hanagetaneh7655]

ok you are winer winer !!!

[@hazegocrazy404]

It’s 1 hour in and there’s only 9 comments, we know espn deleting the comments on this 😂

[@antihypocrisy8978]

Biden's America censors people for speaking facts about minorities or less fortunate people.

[@openminded4751]

@@antihypocrisy8978 or this is a feel good story and theyre deleting shitty comments from lonely trolls spreading hate about this guy, and has nothing to do with a conspiracy to censor the world

[@openminded4751]

@@antihypocrisy8978 I personally would like if they kept the hateful comments so that those hating could be called out for how shitty youd have to be to hate this guy but like I said they just want to keep the good vibes

[@jonathanturek5846]

@@openminded4751 Pathetic ... Imagine if you raised someone who would say such ignorant hurtful things like that.. His whole family is ashamed of him I bet. If I was his brother I would have sore knuckles on the reg... god bless you and aloha

[@jonathanturek5846]

@@openminded4751 could u imagine if your life was so horrible it led to saying such lame ignorant hurtful things. I feel sorry for the troll he must be miserable.

[@michaelacomptonmusic]

Awesome! Go Chris!!! You have inspired me and my daughter living with DS. @Bethany_milkshake on Tik Tok

[@javierbookshadowscontribut6223]

37th comment

[@valeriefolse9452]

Normally I am always so impressed by these guys and gals, and listening still, but I was kinda offended/thrown off, when he compares his down syndrome accent to someone from the deep south???

[@robertreeves7845]

Why would you say such a thing about “the Deep South “ in your speech? That was such an offensive remark. Turned me off right there!