The NBA superstars addressed the recent killing of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the five police officers in Dallas, TX. In their speech, they promoted social change and encouraged the athletes in the audience to use their platform for good.

Anthony said, “The system is broken, the problems are not new, the violence is not new, and the racial divide definitely is not new, but the urgency for change is definitely at an all-time high.”

Paul continued, “Generations ago, legends like Jesse Owens, Jackie Robinson, Muhammad Ali, John Carlos and Tommie Smith, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jim Brown, Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe and countless others, they set a model for what athletes should stand for. So we choose to follow in their footsteps.”

Wade added an important message to not only stop racial profiling, but also stop the retaliation.  

He said, “The racial profiling has to stop. The shoot-to-kill mentality has to stop. Not seeing the value of black and brown bodies has to stop. But also the retaliation has to stop. The endless gun violence in places like Chicago, Dallas, not to mention Orlando, it has to stop. Enough. Enough is enough.”

James added, “Tonight we’re honoring Muhammad Ali, the GOAT (greatest of all time). But to do his legacy any justice, let’s use this moment as a call to action to all professional athletes to educate ourselves, explore these issues, speak up, use our influence and renounce all violence and, most importantly, go back to our communities, invest our time, our resources, help rebuild them, help strengthen them, help change them. We all have to do better.”

Watch their speech and see the full list of ESPYs winners below:

Winners of the 2016 ESPY Awards:

Male Athlete: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Female Athlete: Breanna Stewart, UConn

Record-Breaking Performance: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Breakthrough Athlete: Jake Arrieta, Chicago Cubs

Play: Aaron Rodgers’ Hail Mary to Richard Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Moment: City of Cleveland wins first title in 52 years

Upset: Holly Holm over Ronda Rousey, UFC

Comeback Athlete: Eric Berry, Kansas City Chiefs

Team: Cleveland Cavaliers

Championship Performance: LeBron James

Game: NBA Finals, Game 7

Coach: Tyronn Lue, Cleveland Cavaliers

NBA Player: LeBron James

MLB Player: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals

NFL Player: Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

NHL Player: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Male College Athlete: Buddy Hield, Oklahoma

Female College Athlete: Breanna Stewart, UConn

Male Tennis Player: Novak Djokovic

Female Tennis Player: Serena Williams

Male Action Sports Athlete: Ryan Dungey

Female Action Sports Athlete: Jamie Anderson

Male Athlete with a Disability: Richard Browne

Female Athlete with a Disability: Tatyana McFadden

International Athlete: Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer

Best MLS player: Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC

WNBA Player: Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx

Driver: Kyle Busch

Male Golfer: Jordan Spieth

Female Golfer: Lydia Ko

Jockey: Mario Gutierrez

Bowler: Jason Belmonte

Fighter: Conor McGregor

SPECIAL AWARDS

Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Craig Sager

Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Zaevion Dobson

Pat Tillman Award for Service: Sgt. Elizabeth Marks

Icon Award: Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning and Abby Wambach

Photo Credit: Twitter

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