Zaevion Dobson, a 15-year-old high school football player from Tennessee, was fatally shot in December while shielding two young women from a gang-related drive-by shooting, according to police.
On July 13, Dobson was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2016 ESPY Awards.
His mother, Zenobia Dobson, and his two brothers accepted the award, presented by Steph Curry, in Zaevion’s honor. The Arthur Ashe Award recognizes individuals “possessing 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,” according to ESPN.
In her speech, Dobson, who also lost her 12-year-old nephew to a drive-by shooting four months after her son’s death, urged athletes to use their influence to prevent gun violence and create safer communities.
“I’m here to fight back,” Dobson said in her acceptance speech, according to ESPN.
“We as a country need to take a stand to consider the effects of gun violence on families throughout America,” she said. “All the athletes in this room, you have a lot of power, people look up to you. I know Zaevion did. I urge you to think tonight about why he died and what you can do tomorrow to prevent the next innocent young man or woman from being lost as well.”
