Mike Tyson appeared surprised to learn that Los Angeles Dodgers player Shohei Ohtani is a man during the 2026 ESPYS awards ceremony. Tyson, who presented Ohtani with the award for best single-game performance, inquired about Ohtani's gender after accepting the award on the player's behalf.
Ohtani was recognized for his standout performance in Game 4 of the NLDS last fall, where he hit three home runs and recorded 10 strikeouts. The award was accepted by actor Jake Paul, who informed Tyson of Ohtani's gender.
"Shohei's a guy?" Tyson was heard asking Paul, who confirmed that Ohtani is indeed a man. The moment was captured on camera, with Tyson's reaction indicating genuine surprise.
While Ohtani was unable to attend the ceremony, his recent injury status has also been a point of discussion. The Dodgers announced that Ohtani will miss the 2026 MLB All-Star Game due to irritation in his knee from a lingering injury.
Ohtani has been a prominent figure in Major League Baseball since his debut, known for his exceptional two-way abilities as both a pitcher and a hitter. His performance in the NLDS was widely regarded as one of the greatest playoff performances in recent memory.