The ESPY award ceremony was held last night, but airs tonight on ESPN.
* Courtesy of Penn State Sports Information
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; July 15, 2015 – Former Penn State All-American defensive tackle and current Cincinnati Bengal Devon Still will accept the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award on behalf of his daughter, Leah, who has publicly battled cancer throughout the last year, at the ESPY Awards today at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Leah Still was diagnosed with cancer in June, 2014 and has publicly battled the disease with her father, Devon, by her side. The family had hoped Leah, who is five years old, could make the trip to the awards show in Los Angeles, but her doctors recently indicated that she wouldn't be able to.
Devon, who is in enters his fourth season in the NFL, announced news of his daughter's absence on Instagram on Tuesday.
Her story of overcoming cancer has captivated and inspired many around the globe and the honor comes just three months after the family also announced that Leah’s cancer had gone into remission. Though she continues to go through radiation treatments, Leah continues to transition back into the active lifestyle she has always enjoyed.
After nearly 50 days in the hospital for other post-cancer treatments, Leah last week joined her father for an outdoor workout as he prepares for the 2015 NFL season.
Although Leah went into remission in late March, she still has been going through various treatments to help her immune system return to normal. Stem-cell therapy and rounds of radiation have been part of her recent treatments. Late last month, she came home after a nearly 50-day stay was lengthened because of complications from some of the medicine she was taking.
The Jimmy V. Perseverance Award was named after former North Carolina State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano, who delivered an emotional speech at the 1993 ESPYS during his own bout with cancer. Valvano that night received the Arthur Ashe Courage award. Past recipients of the Jimmy V. Award include NBA coach George Karl, former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand, and last year's recipient, the late SportsCenter anchor, Stuart Scott.
* Courtesy of Penn State Sports Information
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA.; July 15, 2015 – Former Penn State All-American defensive tackle and current Cincinnati Bengal Devon Still will accept the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award on behalf of his daughter, Leah, who has publicly battled cancer throughout the last year, at the ESPY Awards today at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Leah Still was diagnosed with cancer in June, 2014 and has publicly battled the disease with her father, Devon, by her side. The family had hoped Leah, who is five years old, could make the trip to the awards show in Los Angeles, but her doctors recently indicated that she wouldn't be able to.
Devon, who is in enters his fourth season in the NFL, announced news of his daughter's absence on Instagram on Tuesday.
Her story of overcoming cancer has captivated and inspired many around the globe and the honor comes just three months after the family also announced that Leah’s cancer had gone into remission. Though she continues to go through radiation treatments, Leah continues to transition back into the active lifestyle she has always enjoyed.
After nearly 50 days in the hospital for other post-cancer treatments, Leah last week joined her father for an outdoor workout as he prepares for the 2015 NFL season.
Although Leah went into remission in late March, she still has been going through various treatments to help her immune system return to normal. Stem-cell therapy and rounds of radiation have been part of her recent treatments. Late last month, she came home after a nearly 50-day stay was lengthened because of complications from some of the medicine she was taking.
The Jimmy V. Perseverance Award was named after former North Carolina State men's basketball coach Jim Valvano, who delivered an emotional speech at the 1993 ESPYS during his own bout with cancer. Valvano that night received the Arthur Ashe Courage award. Past recipients of the Jimmy V. Award include NBA coach George Karl, former Rutgers football player Eric LeGrand, and last year's recipient, the late SportsCenter anchor, Stuart Scott.
