Sometimes sports truly transcend anything they were ever supposed to accomplish. Like sports speeches tend to do.The message is often simply, but they motivate, they uplift, they inspire.

From Hattie McDaniel to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, these Oscar winners set the gold standard for winning acceptance speeches.

From Sally Field to Marlon Brando, Irving Berlin to Roberto Benigni, these speeches left an indelible impression.

From Meryl Streep to Olivia Colman, these Oscar winners set the gold standard for winning acceptance speeches at the Academy Awards.

From Hattie McDaniel to Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, these Oscar winners set the gold standard for winning acceptance speeches.

Jim Valvano's "don't give up" speech at the 1993 ESPY's is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all-time. On March 3, 1993 former North Carolina State basketball coach Jim Valvano stood on ...

From Meryl Streep to Olivia Colman, these Oscar winners set the gold standard for winning acceptance speeches at the Academy Awards.

2. Halle Berry (2002) Wearing a dress that would go down as one of the best Oscar looks of all time, the Monster's Ball star delivered an emotional and powerful speech.