SPARTAN STRONG: Danielle Green Wins Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2025 ESPYs
LOS ANGELES, CA — In a moment that left few dry-eyed and the entire nation inspired, former Michigan State Women’s Basketball star and decorated Iraq War veteran Danielle Green was honored with the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2025 ESPY Awards. The standing ovation she received was not just a gesture of respect — it was a national salute to a life defined by courage, sacrifice, and unbreakable spirit.
Danielle Green’s journey from the hardwood courts of East Lansing to the battlefield of Iraq, and then to national advocacy and empowerment work, embodies everything the Pat Tillman Award was created to celebrate. A true Spartan, Green has demonstrated what it means to lead — not only in sport or battle — but in life.
Green was a rising star at Michigan State University, playing as a guard from 1995 to 2000. Known for her tenacious defense and fierce leadership, she became a fan favorite and an emotional spark plug for the Spartans. But even greater than her contributions on the court was the grit she would later display when her journey took a dramatic and courageous turn.
Following graduation, Green enlisted in the United States Army, driven by a deep desire to serve something greater than herself. She was deployed to Iraq in 2004 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During a mission in Baghdad, her life changed forever when she was severely injured by a rocket-propelled grenade attack. The explosion resulted in the loss of her dominant left arm.
“I may have lost a limb, but I didn’t lose my will,” she famously said during her ESPYs acceptance speech, drawing powerful applause. “Adversity didn’t end me. It gave me a new mission.”
After her medical retirement from the Army, Green pivoted her pain into purpose. She earned a master’s degree in counseling and began working with wounded veterans, returning soldiers, and trauma survivors. Her work through the Veterans Affairs healthcare system and as a national speaker has changed countless lives, offering hope to those who struggle with the visible and invisible scars of war.
The Pat Tillman Award, named after the NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger who died in Afghanistan, is reserved for individuals who demonstrate service beyond self. Green’s selection for the 2025 honor brought together her dual legacies of athletic excellence and military heroism in a deeply moving tribute.
“Danielle Green doesn’t just tell us what strength looks like — she lives it,” said ESPN anchor Sage Steele, who introduced the segment. “She is a modern American hero and a beacon of resilience for women, veterans, and athletes everywhere.”
During her ESPYs speech, Green gave a powerful nod to her roots: “To Michigan State — thank you for planting the seeds of belief in me. I’m proud to be a Spartan. Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.”
Michigan State’s athletic department celebrated the award with a tribute video, showing highlights from her playing days alongside footage of her military service and community impact. MSU Athletic Director Alan Haller stated, “Danielle is one of the most courageous and inspiring Spartans we’ve ever known. This award is a reflection of who she is — a fighter, a leader, and a servant.”
Since the announcement, tributes have poured in from all over the sports and military worlds. Fellow Purple Heart recipients, WNBA stars, and Spartan alumni have all hailed Green as a trailblazer.
Looking ahead, Green announced she will launch the Spartan Resilience Foundation, a nonprofit aimed at supporting injured female veterans transitioning into civilian life. “This award isn’t the end of the road,” she said. “It’s just the beginning of the next chapter.”
In honoring Danielle Green, the ESPYs reminded America what it means to serve, to persevere, and to inspire. True to her Spartan legacy, she continues to rise — a warrior in every sense of the word.
