The ESPY Awards are known as a light-hearted celebration of the year in sports, but sometimes they provide gripping, memorable moments as well.  One of those occurred last night when Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still accepted the Jimmy V Perseverance Award for his five-year-old daughter Leah. 

Leah Still was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma in June 2014.  The story gained notoriety when the Bengals kept her dad on the practice squad and he was able to care for his daughter through the team’s health insurance.

While Leah was at home last night recovering from chemotherapy treatments, she recorded a video for the audience that ran during Still’s speech.  He spoke about the fight that father and daughter have tackled together while giving credit to the many people that have helped them along the way.

Despite dealing with his daughter’s condition and a lingering hamstring injury, Still actually was activated early in the 2014 season.  He ended up playing in 12 games and recorded 11 tackles. 

Still has played off and on for the Bengals since 2012, when he was a second round pick out of Penn State.  In 2011, he was a consensus first-team All-American and the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year for the Nittany Lions.  

To inquire about Devon Still's speaking fee and appearance cost, contact the agents at Athlete Speakers by calling us at 800-916-6008 or by Starting Your Booking Request Now.

Devon Still's Full ESPYs Acceptance Speech: