Every year, the Arthur Ashe Courage Award is given to sports figures who possess "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," and during the 2016 ESPY Awards held on July 13, the distinction was posthumously given to Zaevion Dobson.
Dobson was the 15-year-old high school football player who valiantly sacrificed his own life to save three young women from gunfire last December 2015. Dobson was with a few of his friends in his northern Knoxville, Tennessee neighbourhood when a group of men began firing randomly into the crowd.
Without thinking of his own welfare, Dobson used his body to shield those around him, and he died because of it. The girls he saved, on the other hand, sustained no injuries.
"Zaevion's actions to risk his own life for others demonstrate the true meaning of the word courage, and his boundless bravery has inspired many," Maura Mandt, ESPYs executive producer, said in press release. "By celebrating Zaevion's legacy, we hope to bring more attention to this serious issue and continued focus on the tragic loss of lives to gun violence."
It was Dobson's mother Zenobia who received the award on behalf of her son. "The family of Zaevion William Dobson accepts with great appreciation the honourable Arthur Ashe Award on behalf of our beloved young man of valor, who sacrificed himself to save others," she said. "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 honourees."
Zenobia added that she's grateful her son's name and example will never be forgotten because of the prestigious award.
