Jarrius Robertson’s infectious spirit endeared him to the New Orleans Saints and now the superfan will receive the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at The ESPYS, ESPN announced Wednesday.
Saints superfan Jarrius Robertson will receive Jimmy V Award at ESPYS
Jarrius Robertson’s battle with a chronic liver disease hasn’t put a damper on his big personality.
Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images
Robertson, 15, has been battling a chronic liver disease called biliary atresia that has forced him to undergo two liver transplants and 13 surgeries. His most recent liver transplant was in April, forcing him to miss out on announcing the Saints’ third-round draft selection.
He has since been discharged from the hospital and visited the first practice of the Saints’ OTAs earlier in the offseason with his family.
Robertson’s big personality has made him a star among athletes and he stole the show at the NBA All-Star Celebrity game in February. After the news of his award was released Wednesday, Saints players recorded a congratulations video for Robertson:
The Jimmy V Perseverance Award is “given to a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through physical perseverance and determination.” The award is named after Jim Valvano, a national championship-winning college basketball coach at North Carolina State, who died of bone cancer in 1993.
“When I first heard the news I thought I was dreaming!” Robertson said in a statement, via ESPN. “The ESPYS? For real? The past two years have been a blessing in so many ways for me and my family. I have been able to do things I never thought I would be able to do. But to be included with Craig Sager, Stuart Scott, Leah and Devon Still, Eric LeGrand and the man himself, Jimmy V, is truly amazing and I am really grateful and humbled.”
Robertson will receive the award at The ESPYS on July 12 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The show will be hosted by former Colts and Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning.
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