ESPN will posthumously honor Eunice Kennedy Shriver with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at The 25th ESPYS Presented by Capital One. The former First Lady Michelle Obama will present the award to Timothy Shriver who is the Chairman of Special Olympics and will accept the award on his mother’s behalf.
“Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a passionate champion for those with developmental challenges, empowering them to fulfill their highest potential,” said Mrs. Obama. “Her work to promote inclusion and acceptance transformed the lives of countless young athletes and inspired us all. I am incredibly honored to present this award to her son to celebrate her life’s work.”
Eunice Kennedy Shriver is being honored with the award for her dedication to using the power of sports to empower individuals with intellectual disabilities to become acknowledged and celebrated members of society. Shriver was a resolute champion for the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and her legacy lives on through Special Olympics, the global movement she founded in 1968.
Presented annually to individuals whose contributions transcend sports, the award recognizes those individuals who embody the spirit of the trophy’s namesake, tennis legend Arthur Ashe, who dedicated his life to human rights advocacy. The 25th ESPYS, hosted by five-time NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl champion Peyton Manning, will air live on Wednesday, July 12, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is sponsored by Cadillac.
Press Release courtesy of ESPN.
