espy awards

Kirstie Ennis receives Pat Tillman Award for Service at 2019 ESPYS

Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Kirstie Ennis discusses a 1,000-mile charity trek around Britain at Buckingham Palace on Nov. 1, 2015.
BRISTOL, Conn. -- A Marine Corps veteran who turned to outdoor sports and launched a nonprofit foundation after losing her leg in combat was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2019 ESPYS.

After surviving a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, Sgt. Kirstie Ennis underwent more than a dozen surgeries addressing trauma to her brain, spine and shoulder. When doctors decided to amputate her left leg above the knee, Ennis embraced outdoor activities as she recovered, walking 1,000 miles across Britain for a charity event and earning three gold medals in swimming at the Warrior Games. She's currently working to summit all seven of the world's highest peaks and said she "does more now on one leg than she ever even dreamed of doing on two."
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Ennis also launched the Kirstie Ennis Foundation with the mission of "improving the quality of life of individuals and families" and providing "education, opportunity, and healing in the outdoors."

ESPYS WINNERS: Click here for full list

"After being medically retired from the Marine Corps due to my injuries sustained overseas, I have dedicated my life to serving others in a different way. To receive the Pat Tillman Award and to be associated with a true American hero is a tremendous honor," Ennis said in a news release. "It has taken a village to get me to this point in my life, and I would not be where I am now without the amazing people surrounding me. To me, this is a symbol of community and what it means to pay it forward."

ESPN created the Pat Tillman Award for Service in 2014 to honor a service-oriented individual with strong ties to the athletic community. Past honorees include U.S. Navy Sgt. Jake Wood; Purple Heart recipient Israel Del Toro; U.S. Army Sgt. and Invictus Games gold medalist Elizabeth Marks; former Notre Dame basketball player, Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient Danielle Green; and U.S. Paralympic gold medal sled hockey player and Purple Heart recipient Josh Sweeney.

PHOTOS: Athletes hit the red carpet for the 2019 ESPYS
Laila Ali arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Professional golfer Brooks Koepka, left, and Jena Sims arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Gabrielle Union, left, and Dwyane Wade arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/APAP
Sugar Ray Leonard arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Sky Katz arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Julius Erving, right, and Dorys Madden arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
NFL player Rob Gronkowski, of the New England Patriots, left, and Camille Kostek arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Ninja, left, and Jessica Goch arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Elle Fanning arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
NBA player Lonzo Ball, of the New Orleans Pelicans, arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Usher arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Olympic runner Colleen Quigley arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Sister Mary Jo Sobieck arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Laila Ali arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Triple H, left, and Stephanie McMahon, chief brand officer of WWE, arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Eugenio Derbez arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
NBA player Lonzo Ball, of the New Orleans Pelicans, arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
NFL player Jared Goff, of the Los Angeles Rams, arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Sugar Ray Leonard arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
NFL player William Jackson III, of the Cincinnati Bengals, arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
NFL player Sam Martin, of the Detroit Lions, left, and gymnast Nastia Liukin arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
NBA player Dwight Howard, of the Memphis Grizzlies, arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Sabrina Greenlee arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Katie Austin, left, and Denise Austin arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Katie Austin, left, and Denise Austin arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Paul Pierce arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
NFL player Daron Payne, of the Washington Redskins, right, and Yung Yaun arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Taylor Bisciotti attends The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.Creative Content
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Katelyn Ohashi attends The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.Creative Content
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Tyron Woodley (R) and guest attend The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.Creative Content
UFC fighter Tyron Woodley arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Megan Wollover, left, and Tracy Morgan arrive at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Kesha Smith attends The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.Creative Content
Tracy Morgan arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Nastia Liukin arrives at the ESPY Awards on Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.AP
Paige Spiranic attends The 2019 ESPYs at Microsoft Theater on July 10, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.AP
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The 2019 ESPYS will air on ABC Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

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