The ESPY's were shown on Wednesday, and one of the most special awards was given to 15-year-old Jarius Robertson. The Jimmy V Award was given to Robertson as he battles a chronic liver disease. Ever since the award began in 2007, some inspiring individuals have won. Here are some of their stories.
2007: Kay Yow
Yow was the longtime coach of UNC State's women's basketball team. Yow coached from 1971 to 2009 as the coach of Elon and UNC State. She finished with 737 career wins and had a .682 winning percentage. Yow was diagnosed with cancer in 2004 but continued to coach.
She became active in raising money for cancer awareness. Yow ended up dying in 2009 from stage four breast cancer.
2008: Kevin Everett
Everett was a former tight end in the NFL. Everett sustained a neck injury in 2007 that led to serious complications. The injury fractured his spinal cord. He was given only low predictions of ever being able to walk again and even spent a night on a respirator. However, through perseverance, Everett found his way to walk again. His courage led to him winning the award as he never gave up.
2009: Don Meyer
Meyer was a college basketball coach who had stints with Hamlin, Lipscomb, and Northern State between the years of 1972 to 2010. In 2008, Meyer was in a car crash and had to have his leg amputated from the knee down.
During surgery, they found cancer and removed it. Meyer retired from coaching in 2010 and later died in 2014 at the age of 69.
2010: George Karl
Karl was an NBA coach who had stops with the Cavaliers, Bucks, Supersonics, Nuggets, and Kings. Karl finished with 1,999 coaching victories in the league. Karl was diagnosed with cancer in his neck in 2010.
He missed the remainder of the season to treat it. However, Karl came back the next season to lead the Nuggets until he was fired in 2013.
2011: Anthony Robles
Robles was born with one leg. Robles became famous when he won the NCAA wrestling championship during the 2010-2011 season. He won the 125-pound weight class.
He is also the author of the book "Unstoppable: From Underdog to Undefeated: How I Became a Champion."
2012: Eric LeGrand
LeGrand is a former NFL tight end that played for Rutgers University. He became paralyzed when he was injured while trying to make a tackle during a game. Since then, he has regained feeling in his shoulders and sensation throughout his body. LeGrand shares his story around the world and has a goal of hoping to walk again one day. He truly does not want to give up on his dream.
2013: Team Hoyt
Team Hoyt is the father-son duo of Dick and Richard Hoyt. Rick Hoyt was born with cerebral palsy. Dick and Rick have competed in multiple marathons and Ironman triathlons. During the competitions, Dick pulls Rick on a special boat when he swims and carries him in a special seat on his bicycle.
He will then push Rick in a wheelchair when he runs.
2014: Stuart Scott
Scott was a fan favorite as an anchor for Sportscenter on ESPN. Scott was known for bringing hip-hop onto the show and for coming up with clever catchphrases. In 2013, Scott found out he had cancer of his appendix. However, it never brought Scott down. He still worked for ESPN. He was doing P90X workouts after treatment but Scott eventually died on January 4, 2015.
2015: Leah and Devon Still
Still is a current NFL defensive end that has played for the Bengals and Texans. Still's four-year-old daughter Leah was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma stage four cancer. Leah took the NFL community by heart during that season as she fought for her life.
Leah was seen around games when her dad was playing and was frequently flashing the TV cameras a smile. Leah and Devon led a charge to raise money which was donated to the Children's Hospital and Medical Center.
2016: Craig Sager
Sager was TNT's sideline reporter. Sager was known for his wacky suits and personality. In 2014, Sager received a bone marrow transplant to try and push his cancer into remission. However, it was reported that his cancer returned in 2016. Sager continued to work games for TNT. During the NBA Finals, ESPN recruited Sager for one game as Sager had never called a game. His battle to beat cancer led to his award, but Sager would die in December of 2016.
2017: Jarrius Robertson
Robertson is a 15-year-old superfan of the New Orleans Saints. He is fighting a liver disease, but his spirit has never been broken. You can see him smiling when the camera is on at games. All sports personalities have taken kindly to Robertson. He has been in the NBA Celebrity game and even scored a basket. Robertson is leading the charge in signing up people to be organ donors.
