Golfing legend Rory McIlroy was visibly moved to tears during a poignant moment at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) awards ceremony on Thursday, 18 December 2025. The Northern Irish star, who is nominated for the main prize, became emotional after witnessing two fathers receive an award in honour of their young daughters.
An Emotional Tribute on the SPOTY Stage
The powerful moment unfolded when Sergio Aguiar and David Stancombe took to the stage to accept the Helen Rollason Award for 2025. The two dads ran the London Marathon to create lasting legacies for their daughters, Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice da Silva Aguiar, and Bebe King. The three girls were tragically killed in July 2024 at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport.
Through their runs, they have established projects to honour their children: Elsie's Story, Alice's WonderDance, and Bebe's Hive. In an emotional speech, Sergio Aguiar said, "Thank you everyone for the award it means a lot to me, my wife, and my princess Alice. I want to dedicate this award to our three girls: Alice, Elsie and Bebe. Keep dancing." He vowed to continue running and raising money for her foundation.
David Stancombe, Elsie's father, told the audience, "I'm just a dad who's keeping his promise to his little girl. Elsie wanted me to run the London Marathon and I did. It gave me a massive focus during the hardest times I've ever lived through." He praised his wife Jenny for her unwavering support.
McIlroy's Heartfelt Reaction as a Father
Watching from the audience, Rory McIlroy, himself a father to a young daughter named Poppy, was deeply affected. When later asked on stage how fatherhood had changed his perspective on a stellar year of sporting achievement, the 36-year-old golfer struggled to compose himself.
"I think being a father of a little girl, seeing the dads up there tonight, they are absolute heroes," McIlroy said, holding back tears. After collecting his thoughts, he added, "Being a dad, it makes the losses a lot easier. It makes the wins even more special to be able to share that with Erica [wife] and Poppy [daughter]."
He reflected on his family's support throughout his career, stating, "My family, they've watched me go through all of this like I'm sure a lot of the public has. I feel like everyone's been on this journey with me."
A Landmark Year for the Golfing Star
McIlroy's emotion came at the end of a phenomenal 12 months on the golf course, making him a frontrunner for the SPOTY title. His year was crowned by finally ending an 11-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam, defeating Justin Rose in a nerve-racking finish to win the Masters.
This historic victory made him only the sixth man in the modern era to achieve the career Grand Slam, joining icons Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods.
Further highlights of McIlroy's brilliant year include:
- A commanding role in Europe's Ryder Cup triumph, where he endured significant abuse from spectators to help secure a rare away win against a USA side watched by former President Donald Trump.
- Victory at the prestigious Players Championship.
- Winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Irish Open.
- Securing his seventh Race to Dubai title to cap off an incredible season.
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year ceremony thus provided a night of stark contrasts, celebrating supreme sporting excellence alongside the most profound human courage, leaving one of the world's greatest athletes humbled and in tears.
