Photo: Matteo Marchi/Getty Images
Maya Moore will be recognized for her advocacy work and commitment to criminal justice reform at this year’s ESPY Awards.
The WNBA star, 32, isset to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage AwardfromGood Morning America’s Robin Roberts at the July 10 ceremony in New York City. (The date of the ESPYS also marks what would have been Ashe’s 78th birthday.)
Moore, who has won four WNBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, a WNBA MVP award, and three All-Star MVPs among other accolades, put her basketball career on pause in 2019 to fight for prison reform. She was specifically focused on the release of Jonathan Irons, a man who was wrongly convicted of burglary and assault and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
In 2007, Moore and Irons met through the prison ministry program and she helped bring awareness to his case, forming theWin with Justice campaignto educate the public on the power of prosecutors and organize for Irons' freedom.
Maya Moore and Jonathan Irons.Maya Moore/ Instagram
In March 2020, Moore helped Irons get exonerated and he was released from prison that July after serving two decades behind bars. Hours after he was freed, he asked Moore to marry him. Theyannounced their unionin September 2020.
Roberts executive produced the upcoming30 for 30documentaryBreakawaywhich tells the story of Moore stepping away from her sport to rededicate her life to criminal justice reform. The film will premiere on July 13 at 9 p.m. EST on ESPN and will re-air on ABC Aug. 8.
Arthur Ashe wins Wimbledon.Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty
“Maya’s courage lies not just in her decision to step away from a basketball career full of unprecedented success. Instead, her commitment to live a life unerringly devoted to faith, family and justice sets a shining example for anyone seeking their own path toward having a real and lasting impact on the world. We’re so honored to celebrate her with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award,” Rob King, senior vice president, and editor-at-large ESPN Content, said in a statement.
The Arthur Ashe Award for Courage recognizes those who find ways through sports to make a difference far beyond the field of play and impact the world in indelible ways. Previous recipients include Muhammad Ali, Zaevion Dobson,Caitlyn Jenner, Billie Jean King, Nelson Mandela, Pat Summitt and Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah.
Tennis legend Ashe is the only Black man to ever win Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and the Australian Open. Throughout his career, he was active in the civil rights movement and fought for racial equality until his death in 1993.
source: people.com
