June 25, 2009

(UTSports.com) -- Former University of Tennessee All-America quarterback Peyton Manning has been selected as an ESPY nominee in the category of: Best NFL Player. The ESPYS are the one night each year where athletes from all sports join together to celebrate the best moments of the year.

The ESPYS take place on Wednesday, July 15th at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles and will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson.

Fans can vote for Peyton online at www.ESPYS.tv starting Friday, June 26. The ESPYS air on ESPN and ESPN-HD on Sunday, July 19th at 9 p.m. EST.

Former University of Tennessee Lady Vol Olympian and All-America Candace Parker has once again been selected as an ESPY nominee. The two-time Lady Vol NCAA Champion was nominated in the categories of: Best Female Athlete and Best WNBA Player.

After winning back-to-back national championships at UT in 2007 and 2008, the WNBA's top draft pick in 2008 completed her whirlwind summer as the WNBA Rookie of the Year, the WNBA MVP and a 2008 Olympic gold medalist.

The ESPY Awards honor the best achievements, moments and leading athletes of the previous year. Fans will determine winners in 37 categories through online at www.ESPYS.tv and mobile phone voting at www.espn.mobi that begins Thursday and runs through July 11.

The ESPYS will take place on Wednesday, July 15th at the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles and will be hosted by Samuel L. Jackson. They will air on ESPN and ESPN-HD on Sunday, July 19th at 9 p.m. EST.