Sports Personality of the Year 2023: Mary Earps, the Celebrated Winner
Mary Earps, the esteemed goalkeeper for England and Manchester United, has expressed her ambition “to change the world” following her recent recognition as Sports Personality of the Year 2023.
At 30 years of age, Earps clinched the top spot in the public vote, outperforming cricketer Stuart Broad and world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who finished second and third, respectively.
Following Arsenal forward Beth Mead, who won the award in 2022, Earps becomes the consecutive women’s footballer to earn this honor from the BBC.
In a conversation with BBC Radio 5 Live, Earps shared her vision, “I aim to be a catalyst for change. My goal is to make a difference in the world during the limited time I have. Being a role model is a responsibility I cherish, and I strive to motivate people of all ages.”
She further added, “I hope people can identify with me and my path. I’m simply an ordinary individual chasing her dream.
“I am dedicated to making goalkeeping appealing, and I see progress. It’s a gradual process, but it’s part of the ‘Merps mission’. Goalkeeping is indeed cool!”
Earps emerged as a pivotal player for the Lionesses in their historic journey to their first World Cup final last summer, earning the Golden Glove award for her exceptional performance as a goalkeeper.
Reflecting on the significance of the award, she remarked, “It’s astounding to realize that this is not just a football accolade; it’s a comprehensive sports award spanning the entire country. It represents more than just my football accomplishments, which is both humbling and grounding. I plan to take a moment to deeply contemplate its meaning.”
In addition to this accolade, Earps was named the Fifa Best Women’s Goalkeeper and was voted the England Women’s Player of the Year for 2022-23. She also secured the fifth position in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mary Earps 2023
Who won the Sports Personality of the Year 2023?
Mary Earps, the goalkeeper for England and Manchester United, won the Sports Personality of the Year 2023.
What is Mary Earps’ ambition after winning the award?
Mary Earps expressed her desire to change the world and be a game-changer, especially in her role as a role model and in promoting goalkeeping in football.
Who were the other top contenders for the Sports Personality of the Year 2023?
The other top contenders for the award were cricketer Stuart Broad, who came in second, and world heptathlon champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson, who finished third.
Has any other women’s footballer won the Sports Personality of the Year before Mary Earps?
Yes, another women’s footballer, Arsenal forward Beth Mead, won the Sports Personality of the Year in 2022.
What other accolades has Mary Earps received?
Mary Earps was named the Fifa Best Women’s Goalkeeper and the England Women’s Player of the Year for 2022-23. She also finished fifth in the voting for the Ballon d’Or award.
More about Mary Earps 2023
- Mary Earps Profile and Stats
- Sports Personality of the Year Winners
- England Women’s National Football Team
- FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper Award
- Ballon d’Or Voting and Winners
- Interviews with Mary Earps
- Women’s Football in England
- BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Coverage
6 comments
wow, Mary Earps winning this just shows how women’s football is really taking off, so cool to see!
is it just me or are these awards getting more predictable? but props to Mary, she’s class.
Earps winning over Broad? that’s huge, shows the changing landscape in sports popularity.
KJT was robbed, she had an amazing year too, just saying. No disrespect to Earps though.
As a Man U fan, super proud of Mary! She’s been phenomenal this season, totally deserves this.
Mary’s a real inspiration for young players, especially goalies. Making goalkeeping cool again, love it.