SC Featured wins 10th Murrow Award in last 9 years; ESPN Features Unit’s 24th Murrow in 20 years
ESPN’s Features Unit, with two decades of storytelling excellence, has earned 24 Edward R. Murrow Awards. Their latest honor was presented at Monday’s ceremony in New York City. Front Row reflects on the team’s consistent impact and this year’s winning stories
ESPN Features Unit Murrow Awards thru the Years
2024
Sports Reporting
SC Featured: Dear Mrs. Reid
(Danny Arruda/Andrea Adelson)
Feature Reporting
SC Featured: Running for Martin
(Danny Arruda/Chris Connelly)
2023
Sports Reporting
College Gameday: Meechie & Michigan
(Mike O’Connor/Gene Wojciechowski)
2022
Sports Reporting
SC Featured: A Father’s Resilience
(Mike O’Connor/Chris Connelly)
2021
Sports Reporting
Sunday NFL Countdown: The Big Mo Show
(Harry Hawkings/Sam Borden)
Feature Reporting
SC Featured: Fighting for Aniah
(Danny Arruda/Tom Rinaldi)
2020
Sports Reporting
SC Featured: A Long Embrace
(Rich Gentile/Robin Roberts)
Feature Reporting
SC Featured: Unchained – The Messenger
(Steveland Wilson/Chris Connelly)
2019
Sports Reporting
SC Featured: Dave and Drago
(Jen Chafitz/Tom Rinaldi)
2018
Feature Reporting
SC Featured: Rod Carew
(Zac Budman/Gene Wojciechowski)
2016
Sports Reporting
SC Featured: Miraculous
(Danny Arruda/Chris Connelly)
Feature Reporting
SC Featured: The Courage Game
(Ben Webber/Greg Garber)
2014
News Documentary
Outside the Lines: Carry On
(José Morales /Tom Rinaldi)
Sports Reporting
Outside the Lines: The Lady Jags – Losing to Win
(Scott Harves)
2013
Feature Reporting
Outside the Lines: Marko Cheseto – Running for his Life
(Sharon Matthew/Chris Connelly)
2011
Audio Feature Reporting
A Goal, A Ghost – Joe Gaetjens
(José Morales/Tom Rinaldi)
2009
Sports Reporting
Kick for Nick
(José Morales/Tom Rinaldi)
2008
Sports Reporting
Andrea Jaeger
(Martin Khodabakhshian /Tom Rinaldi)
News Series
Three-part Deportes SportsCenter series “Sobrevivientes”
(Danny Arruda/Chris Connelly)
2006
Sports Reporting
Terry Fox
(Danny Arruda/Tom Rinaldi)
Feature Reporting
Clay Dyer
(Andy Tennant/Chris Connelly)
2005
Sports Reporting
John Mackey
(Lisa Fenn/Tom Rinaldi)
2004
Sports Reporting
Picking Up Butch
(Andy Tennant/Chris Connelly)
Feature Reporting
Picking Up Butch
(Andy Tennant/Chris Connelly)
Few honors in journalism and storytelling are more prestigious than the Edward R. Murrow Awards, which are presented annually by the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) to recognize achievements in exceptional storytelling across the nation.
Earlier this week, ESPN received three Edward R. Murrow Awards for excellence in broadcast and digital journalism. Two of the honors went to SC Featured, the storytelling brand produced by the ESPN Features Unit, for the compelling stories “Dear Mrs. Reid” (Sports Reporting) and “Running for Martin” (Feature Reporting). Additionally, ESPN Films won in the Excellence in Video category for “Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games.“
Craig Lazarus, Vice President and Executive Producer of Original Content & Features, reflected on the two SC Featured honors: “Each award is a tangible reminder of the impactful storytelling the entire Features Unit is privileged to provide to our audience,” he said. “We are fortunate to engage sports fans with compelling, entertaining, and informative stories. It’s gratifying to be recognized with an award as prestigious as the Murrows.”
Notably, 20 of the Features Unit’s 24 awards have recognized feature stories from SportsCenter’s ‘SC Featured’ segments, which remain rooted in sports while also addressing broader cultural themes, fostering a deeper connection with viewers.
To further explore ESPN’s rich history as Murrow recognition, we spoke with Dan Arruda, an ESPN Feature Producer, who won two of this year’s winning entries for his work on ‘SC Featured.’
What is the significance of “Dear Mrs. Reid” and “Running for Martin” both winning in the same year?
It’s remarkable that these two very different stories received recognition. ‘Dear Mrs. Reid’ is about forgiveness and healing, capturing the profound moment of Andrew Bellatti seeking reconciliation with Lyn Reid after 13 years. Meanwhile, ‘Running for Martin’ is about legacy and community, illustrating how Martin Richard’s spirit lives on through his friends. Both stories highlight the power of human connection in their own unique ways.
What does it mean for SC Featured to win two Murrow Awards in one year?
It’s remarkable that these two very different stories received recognition. ‘Dear Mrs. Reid’ is about forgiveness and healing, capturing the profound moment of Andrew Bellatti seeking reconciliation with Lyn Reid after 13 years. Meanwhile, ‘Running for Martin’ is about legacy and community, illustrating how Martin Richard’s spirit lives on through his friends. Both stories highlight the power of human connection in their own unique ways.
Storytelling is core to ESPN's identity. What strategies do you use to create features that truly connect with viewers?
It’s remarkable that these two very different stories received recognition. ‘Dear Mrs. Reid’ is about forgiveness and healing, capturing the profound moment of Andrew Bellatti seeking reconciliation with Lyn Reid after 13 years. Meanwhile, ‘Running for Martin’ is about legacy and community, illustrating how Martin Richard’s spirit lives on through his friends. Both stories highlight the power of human connection in their own unique ways.
