Ed Sheeran wins first Emmy Award for song ‘Ted Lasso’

Ed Sheeran can now add an Emmy Award to his long list of accolades.

“We won an Emmy last night. I didn’t expect to win at all, it was a real surprise when I woke up to the news. I wish I could have been there but I’m about to start the Asia tour so unfortunately had to be somewhere else,” Sheeran, 32, wrote via Instagram on Sunday January 7.

Sheeran and co-writers Max Martin And Foy Vance won the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics trophy at the annual Creative Emmy Awards ceremony on Saturday, January 6 for their song “A Beautiful Game,” which was featured in the Ted Lasso season 3 finale.

“We were all fans of the show and were asked to make a song for the finale, so two years ago this month we got together and wrote a song about love and football, and how it’s always about the journey instead from across the destination,” Sheeran added in his social media post. “I recorded a crowd at one of my stadium shows singing the final chant to keep it in the footie [vibes].”

He continued: ‘It was up against some fantastic artists and songs in the Emmy category for Best Original Music and Lyrics, so we didn’t think we had a chance of winning, but thank you so much to whoever voted for it , and to Max , Foy and so on Lasso crew. I am truly honored.”

In addition, “A Beautiful Game” was nominated Ryder‘s “Fought & Lost” — which also appeared in Ted Lasso season 3 — as well as songs from Ginny & Georgia, The L Word: Generation Q, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel And Weird: the Al Yankovic story.

Although the Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics award is Sheeran’s first Emmy statue, he has already won an impressive collection of awards, including multiple Grammy Awards. He has been nominated for sixteen Grammys, of which he takes home four. His latest album – (pronounced Subtract) has been nominated for best pop vocal album at this year’s ceremony.

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However, Sheeran has long been outspoken about the awkward atmosphere that comes with being recognized at awards shows.

“The room is filled with resentment and hatred towards everyone else and it’s a pretty uncomfortable atmosphere,” the “Shape of You” singer said during a September 2021 interview on Audacy’s “The Julia Show” program. “In England our awards ceremonies are the same way: everyone gets drunk and no one really cares who wins or loses. It’s like a night out. All the artists are lovely people, but they are surrounded by entourages who also want them to win. … It’s really a terrible atmosphere to be in. I always walk away feeling very sad, and I don’t like that.”

The Primetime Emmy Awards air Monday, January 15 at 8 PM ET on Fox.