KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WMOT) -- A Tennessee teen was honored posthumously last night at the ESPY Awards for shielding two friends during a drive-by shooting.
Fifteen-year-old Zaevion Dobson shielded two girls from gunfire with his body in what police say was an episode of gang related violence.
Zaveion’s mother Zenobia Dobson, accepted the Arthur Ashe Award on behalf of her son. She voiced a challenge for the athletes gathered for the ceremony.
“You have a lot of power. People look up to you. I know Zaveion did. And I urge you to think tonight about why he died and what you can do tomorrow to prevent the next innocent young man or woman from being lost as well.”
During her acceptance speech, Zenobia Dobson revealed that another family member, a 12-year-old cousin of Zaveion’s, was also recently killed in a drive by shooting.