Marcello Hernández, a comedian known for his work on Saturday Night Live, hosted the 2026 ESPY Awards on Wednesday night. During his opening monologue, Hernández delivered a series of jokes targeting various figures in the sports world, including boxer Jake Paul and golf legend Tiger Woods.
Hernández began his near-10-minute monologue by singling out Paul. He remarked, “I must say, it’s an honor to be here among so many great athletes, and Jake Paul.” This quip drew laughter from the audience, and Paul himself was shown on camera applauding the line. The comedian continued to playfully target Paul, making light of his tendency to compete against older boxers.
“Jake, that’s just a joke. Don’t fight me,” Hernández stated, before adding, “My dad and my stepdad are both here. They’re over 50, and I know that’s how you like them. So, fight them instead.” Paul reportedly continued to laugh throughout this segment of Hernández’s routine, which concluded after images of the comedian’s father and stepfather were displayed in the crowd.
Monologue Highlights and Reactions
Beyond Paul, Hernández also directed a joke towards Tiger Woods. This particular jest was introduced with a reference to Caleb Williams, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, who is set to appear on the cover of the new Madden video game. Hernández congratulated Williams, then added, “And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto.”
The joke about Woods referenced a past incident where the golfer was involved in a rollover vehicle crash on March 27, leading to charges of DUI and property damage. This incident was noted as one of several accidents Woods has encountered during his career. Despite the audience’s laughter, Hernández showed a moment of sheepishness after delivering the joke, saying, “I love you Tiger. I’m a big fan, man. It’s just it was written so well.”
Hernández’s performance was generally well-received by sports fans, with many enjoying his opening monologue and overall hosting duties for the annual awards show, which honours achievements in sports. His comedic approach included a variety of targets, demonstrating a broad scope in his material.
Another notable moment from the monologue involved a jab at Bill Belichick. While discussing the New York Knicks ending a title drought, Hernández made a comparison to the year 1973. He noted that in 1973, hockey players did not wear helmets, and basketball did not have a three-point line. He then added, “and in 1973 Bill Belichick was the age his girlfriend is now.”
The comedian also took a moment to address Shane Gillis, who hosted the 2025 ESPYs. Hernández commented that Gillis was likely enjoying the current show “like a true American – on his couch, drinking a beer while a Hispanic guy does his job.” This comment further showcased Hernández’s willingness to engage with various aspects of sports and entertainment culture during his hosting gig.
The 2026 ESPY Awards provided a platform for Hernández to showcase his comedic style, which blended observational humour with direct references to prominent sports figures and events. His monologue was a significant part of the evening’s entertainment, setting the tone for the awards ceremony.
The full monologue by Marcello Hernández was made available for viewing, courtesy of ESPN.
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Source: ca.sports.yahoo.com
