Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old high school football player killed protecting two girls from gunfire, will posthumously receive the 2016 Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs.
Police said the girls Dobson was protecting from a random drive-by shooting on December 17, 2015 were unhurt.
“There’s nothing more courageous than somebody sacrificing their own life for somebody else,” said Maura Mandt, executive producer for the ESPYS.
READ MORE: Emotional Caitlyn Jenner accepts Arthur Ashe Courage
Dobson’s mother, Zenobia Dobson, will accept the award on his behalf during the July 13 ESPYs ceremony in Los Angeles, according to The Associated Press.
“The Ashe Award is one of the most prestigious in sports,” according to ESPN.com. “Recipients reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost.”
Dobson, who played for Fulton High School in Knoxville, would be the youngest ever recipient of the award. Previous winners include Muhammad Ali, Billie Jean King, Michael Sam, and Caitlyn Jenner who received the award in 2015.
Zenobia Dobson told the Associated Press that her son loved the game of football and had of history of confronting bullies.
“I’m just so honoured to be his mother,” she said. “I will always love him in my heart, but since his passing, I love him even more. I draw closer to him every day. I visit him at the cemetery every day, and I just talk to him every day, every single day.
WATCH: U.S. President Barack Obama calls for more gun control
-
![]()
President Obama gets emotional during gun control speech, talks executive action -
![]()
Obama specifies exactly what new gun control measures his administration is introducing -
![]()
Obama rejects the thinking that enhanced gun control laws wouldn’t have help prevent some mass shootings -
![]()
President Obama outlines constitutional argument for increased gun control laws -
![]()
President Obama makes his case for increased gun control laws -
![]()
President Obama to elaborate on new gun control measures
In January, U.S. President Barack Obama praised Dobson’s actions during a speech about his plan to tighten gun control.
“Zaevion, who was in high school, hadn’t even gotten started in life, dove on top of the girls to shield them from the bullets. And he was shot in the head. And the girls were spared,” Obama said. “He gave his life to save theirs, an act of heroism a lot bigger than anything we should ever expect from a 15-year-old.”
WWE star John Cena will host the 2016 ESPYs on July 13 at 8 p.m. ET.
*With files from the Associated Press
Comments