Columbia, South Carolina — Trailblazing Warrior and Former Gamecock Danielle Green Honored with Coveted Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPYs — A Profound Testament to Her Courage, Resilience, and Lifelong Dedication from the Basketball Court to the Battlefield and Beyond

🏆🙌 Columbia, South Carolina — Trailblazing Warrior and Former Gamecock Danielle Green Honored with Coveted Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPYs — A Profound Testament to Her Courage, Resilience, and Lifelong Dedication from the Basketball Court to the Battlefield and Beyond

 

In a stirring tribute that transcends sports, the 2015 ESPY Awards paid homage to Danielle Green—a former Notre Dame and South Carolina Gamecock women’s basketball standout, Iraq War veteran, and Purple Heart recipient—by awarding her the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service. Green’s remarkable journey of triumph, sacrifice, and unwavering service has cemented her status as a beacon of hope and a paragon of resilience for countless individuals nationwide.

 

A Journey Defined by Tenacity and Service

 

Born and raised on Chicago’s South Side, Danielle Green overcame adversity early in life. Raised by her grandmother after her mother struggled with substance abuse, Green earned a basketball scholarship to Notre Dame, where she played from 1995–2000 under legendary coach Muffet McGraw . After a brief professional play attempt with the WNBA’s Detroit Shock, Green made the unexpected decision to serve her country, joining the U.S. Army at age 26 .

 

Deployed to Baghdad in 2004 with the 571st Military Police Company, Green was severely wounded—losing her lower left arm and leg to an RPG blast while on sentry duty. She was awarded the Purple Heart for her bravery in combat . Despite life-altering injuries, she was determined to keep serving others. After months of grueling rehabilitation at Walter Reed, Green returned to school, earned her master’s degree, and now serves as a Supervisory Readjustment Counseling Therapist at South Bend Vet Center, assisting veterans with PTSD, depression, and reentry into civilian life .

 

Honored at the ESPYs: A Moment of National Recognition

 

On July 15, 2015, during the celebrated ESPY Awards, Green became the second-ever recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service, which honors sports-connected individuals whose actions reflect the late Pat Tillman’s spirit of service and sacrifice . The award recognizes her for her transition from athlete to soldier, her survival, and her inspiring work as a veterans’ counselor. Pat Tillman’s widow, Marie Tillman, lauded Green’s unwavering commitment, stating it echoed the late NFL star’s own legacy of selflessness .

 

In her acceptance speech, Green challenged the audience:

 

> “Not all of us are Pat Tillman, but we can all find ways to serve our community. We can all find a purpose on this earth larger than ourselves.”

 

 

 

Her heartfelt plea emphasized that heroism extends beyond personal glory—it lives in acts of empathy, mentorship, and community support.

 

From Court Competitor to Humanitarian Champion

 

Green credits her athletic discipline for the resilience she later displayed on the battlefield and in rehabilitation. As ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel noted, Green’s experience under coach McGraw’s rigorous regimen prepared her mentally and physically to confront life’s harsh realities . McGraw reflected on Green’s journey:

 

> “I think basketball is so much more than the game… she’s tearing down barriers and becoming a role model.”

 

 

 

Today, Green leverages that same tenacity to support fellow veterans—tackling mental health challenges head-on and guiding others through trauma and recovery.

 

A Legacy That Continues to Inspire

 

Green’s story has continued to resonate: veteran advocacy groups, military organizations like Wounded Warrior Project, and educational initiatives frequently cite her as a motivational figure . Social media tributes have sustained, celebrating her journey from soldier to counselor, athlete to advocate .

 

Her legacy is a powerful reminder that true athletic greatness is measured not only by trophies or titles, but by lives uplifted, wounds healed, and communities transformed. By intertwining her stories of sport, service, and survival, Danielle Green has permanently etched her name into the annals of resiliency and human compassion.

 

A Call to Action and Hope

 

Green’s challenge at the ESPYs continues to echo: to consider what purpose we each serve. Whether supporting veterans, mentoring youth, or providing emotional support, every act matters.

 

As a former Gamecock, army veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and Pat Tillman Award honoree, Danielle Green stands as a living example of how one person’s unyielding spirit can ignite hope and enact change. Columbia, South Carolina, and the world salute her — not just for what she has endured, but for what she has built: a legacy of courage, resilience, and service that transcends time.