The forthcoming ESPYS will honor a fallen athlete next month.
Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old footballer from Knoxville, Tenn., was fatally shot after he safeguarded two girls from a hail of bullets in December 2015. Dobson was a sophomore at Fulton High School, and according to those who knew him, Dobson possessed a lot of promise both on the field and in the classroom.
The annual ESPYS’ Arthur Ashe Courage Award will be given to Dobson for his act of bravery, and will be accepted by his family on that day.
“The family of Zaevion William Dobson accepts with great appreciation the honorable Arthur Ashe Award on behalf of our beloved young man of valor, who sacrificed himself to save others,” Zenobia Dobson, his mother said in a press release. “Arthur Ashe was a leading example of strength and courage for us as a family, and we feel truly blessed and honored that our Zaevion joins the ranks of honorees. Like Arthur Ashe, Zaevion faced obstacles, but he overcame them. With this award, we know that Zaevion’s name and example will never be forgotten.”
The ESPYS will air on July 13 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC.