2012 ESPYS Nominations Include Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson

The 2012 ESPYS are set to take place on Wednesday, July 11. The awards show will air on ESPN at 9 p.m. ET and will be hosted by Rob Riggle. Why exactly should you care about this? Allow me to explain.

Two Detroit Lions players are up for ESPYS this year. Quarterback Matthew Stafford is one of the nominees for Best Comeback Athlete and wide receiver Calvin Johnson is up for Best NFL Player.

Stafford will be going up against the Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby, New York Mets' Johan Santana and tennis star Maria Sharapova for his category. That's a lot of tough competition, but Stafford's story is a good one considering he came back from shoulder issues to throw for more than 5,000 yards in 2011.

Johnson is also facing stiff competition. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs are also nominated for the Best NFL Player award.

Stafford and Johnson aren't the only Detroit athletes up for ESPYS this year. Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is a nominee for Best Male Athlete and Best MLB Player.

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