Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star Kevin Love, who has become a spokesman for mental health and wellness, will be honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during Sunday’s ESPYS.
Since writing a revealing personal essay about a panic attack during an NBA game in 2017, Love’s influence has gone far beyond basketball. He has encouraged others tell their stories, and many athletes have followed suit. He continues to work to help destigmatize mental health issues and has created the Kevin Love Foundation to deal with maintaining mental health.
“It is an absolute honor to receive this award and I am incredibly humbled by it,” Love said in a statement. “In telling my story, if I can help just one child that is suffering to make sense of what they are experiencing, I know my efforts have been worth it.
“And I hope one day we are able to erase the stigma around mental illness, starting with public conversations around mental health and encouraging people to seek help when they need it, followed by research, action, and change.”
Love has also made public service announcements, spoken at conferences and, during the coronavirus pandemic, offered advice and counsel on coping.
The ESPYS will be hosted by Sue Bird, Megan Rapinoe and Russell Wilson. The broadcast will feature guest appearances by Halle Berry, Simone Biles, Stephen Curry, Tom Brady, Malcolm Jenkins, Chloe Kim, Peyton Manning, Patrick Mahomes, Matthew McConaughey, Robin Roberts, Breanna Stewart, Mike Trout, Lindsey Vonn and J.J. Watt, among others.