England national football team goalkeeper Mary Earps has been voted as the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY).
The 30-year-old goalkeeper was known for blocking a second goal attempt by Spain in this year's FIFA Women's World Cup championship last August, which they lost 1-0. She also received the Golden Glove for the feat.
Earps was only the second football athlete in succession to be awarded the SPOTY. Her Lioness teammate Beth Mead received the award in 2022.
"It feels pretty great off the back of a couple of really big years and 2023 has been wild in ways I couldn't expect," she said in her acceptance speech. "I'm really, really grateful."
Earps was also the third woman in a row to win the SPOTY award after tennis player Emma Raducanu's success in 2021.
Hugely well deserved, Mary. Congratulations! W https://t.co/qfKlmFt9o1
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) December 20, 2023
Career Turnaround
Earps's journey as a recognized football player in her own right was not easy, given her position as goalkeeper as she once contemplated retirement after failing to make it in England's 2019 World Cup squad.
She also expressed disappointment with the Lionesses' 2023 uniform maker Nike for not mass-producing her goalie kits like her outfielder teammates, something the company has since reversed.
The sale of Earps's goalie jerseys had an unexpected turnout as her shirts sold out within five minutes in Nike's latest run.
Meanwhile, Prince William congratulated Earps in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
"Hugely well deserved, Mary. Congratulations!" the Prince of Wales wrote.
