ESPN NEWS: Danielle Green Receives Pat Tillman Award for Service in Lubbock, South Carolina Congratulations to Danielle Green, a Purple Heart recipient, Iraq War veteran, and incredible former Gamecocks women’s basketball star. Danielle received a prize at the ESPY Awards.
Danielle Green’s remarkable life journey has now taken another powerful turn, as she received the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2025 ESPY Awards, held this year in Lubbock, South Carolina. Her story is one of extraordinary resilience, commitment to others, and a relentless pursuit of purpose in the face of unimaginable challenges. Green is a Purple Heart recipient, an Iraq War veteran, a tireless advocate for fellow veterans, and a former standout athlete with the University of South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball program. Her recognition with the Pat Tillman Award is a testament not just to her individual achievements, but to her enduring legacy of service, strength, and leadership.
Danielle Green’s story begins far from the bright lights of the ESPYs or the basketball courts of the SEC. Raised on the South Side of Chicago, she grew up in an environment often plagued by violence, economic hardship, and limited opportunities. Yet from a young age, Green distinguished herself with a fierce sense of determination and an uncommon maturity. Athletics became her outlet, and basketball soon emerged as both her passion and her ticket to a better life. Her skills on the court and her drive off of it earned her a scholarship to play for the University of South Carolina. During her years as a Gamecock, she was known not only for her physical talent but also for her leadership, grit, and work ethic—qualities that would later come to define her in a far broader arena.
Following her college career, Green faced a choice that few of her peers could imagine: she enlisted in the U.S. Army. In doing so, she traded one form of team uniform for another, moving from basketball to battlefield. Her decision to serve was rooted in a desire to give back, to be part of something larger than herself, and to protect the values and freedoms she held dear. She became a military police officer and deployed to Iraq in 2004, serving during one of the most violent periods of the conflict.
Green’s time in Iraq was tragically cut short when she was injured in a rocket-propelled grenade attack. The blast resulted in the loss of her left arm and brought her military career to an end. But for Green, the injury was not the end of her story—it was the beginning of a new chapter. She returned to the United States to recover at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where she faced months of grueling rehabilitation. Even in those early days after her injury, it was clear that Green’s spirit remained unbroken. She refused to be defined by her injury, choosing instead to embrace her new reality with courage and determination.
During her recovery, Green began to think seriously about how she could continue to serve. She pursued higher education, earning a master’s degree in counseling from Loyola University Chicago. She transitioned into a new role as a counselor and advocate, working with veterans struggling to navigate life after combat. Through her work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and other organizations, she became a critical lifeline for countless individuals grappling with trauma, disability, and the often painful reintegration into civilian life. Her own experiences gave her unique insight and empathy, and her tireless efforts earned her widespread respect in the veteran community.
What sets Danielle Green apart is not just the fact that she has overcome adversity—it is how she has turned that adversity into a force for good. She does not see herself as a victim of war, but as someone who found a new mission in its aftermath. That mission has included speaking at schools and community events, mentoring young women, and promoting mental health awareness among veterans. Her message is always consistent: life’s hardest moments can be transformed into opportunities for growth, healing, and service.
The Pat Tillman Award for Service, named after the former NFL player and Army Ranger who was killed in action in Afghanistan, is meant to honor individuals with a strong commitment to service and leadership in the face of adversity. It is a fitting tribute to Green, who embodies the same values of honor, sacrifice, and courage that defined Tillman’s legacy. Accepting the award in Lubbock, South Carolina—a city proud of its military heritage—was especially meaningful. The ceremony was attended by veterans, community leaders, athletes, and supporters from across the nation, many of whom had followed Green’s journey for years.
In her acceptance speech, Green spoke with characteristic humility and passion. She paid tribute to her fellow veterans, especially those who never made it home. She also highlighted the importance of community, noting that her own recovery and success were made possible by the support of others—from family and friends to medical professionals and fellow service members. Green emphasized the need for continued support for those returning from war, particularly in areas of mental health, employment, and education.
Green’s presence at the ESPYs was a powerful reminder of the broader purpose behind the glitz and glamor of sports. Her story touched not only those who knew her personally but also the millions watching around the country. It reminded people that true heroism often takes place far from the spotlight—that it can be found in the quiet moments of pain, perseverance, and purpose that define lives like hers.
Her connection to the University of South Carolina also played a prominent role in the ceremony. Former teammates and coaches sent in video tributes, recalling Green’s determination and leadership during her college years. The Gamecocks community has long embraced her as one of their own, and her achievements since leaving the court have only strengthened that bond. Many in the audience were moved by the powerful juxtaposition: an elite athlete turned war hero, returned home to be honored for a lifetime of service that began long before the battlefield.
Over the years, Green has also become an outspoken advocate for women veterans, a group that often faces unique challenges both during and after service. She has used her platform to shine a light on their experiences, push for better policies, and ensure their stories are heard. Her efforts have led to increased awareness and tangible improvements in how women veterans are supported across the country.
In addition to her counseling work, Green has participated in numerous veteran-focused initiatives, including adaptive sports programs that empower wounded warriors to rediscover their strength and mobility. She has also worked with nonprofits focused on suicide prevention, helping connect veterans to resources and community networks that can save lives.
Despite all her accolades, Green remains deeply grounded. She often credits others for her success, pointing to the values instilled in her by her mother, her coaches, and her fellow soldiers. Her humility, combined with her fierce advocacy, makes her an inspiring and relatable figure—someone who leads not just with words, but with example.
Green’s recognition at the ESPYs is more than an award. It is a spotlight on the power of perseverance, the value of community, and the importance of continuing to serve even after great personal sacrifice. For Danielle Green, service is not a one-time act—it is a lifelong commitment. Her story challenges us all to think about how we use our talents and experiences, especially in the face of adversity, to lift others up.
As she stood on stage in Lubbock, the crowd on their feet, the applause was more than just a celebration of her accomplishments. It was a recognition of the kind of person she is and the impact she has had on countless lives. Danielle Green is a hero in the truest sense—not only because of what she has endured but because of how she has chosen to live in the aftermath. Her legacy continues to grow, and with this latest honor, her message of resilience and service reaches an even wider audience.
The Pat Tillman Award is not given lightly. It is reserved for those whose service and sacrifice extend beyond the battlefield into lasting contributions to their communities. In Danielle Green, the award finds not just a worthy recipient, but a role model for future generations. Through her life’s work, she has turned pain into purpose, injury into inspiration, and loss into leadership. Her story, now etched even more firmly into the national consciousness, will continue to inspire long after the spotlight fades.
