The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Love to be honored with ESPYs Courage Award
Kevin Love opened himself up to the world in 2018, revealing his struggles with mental illness.
Kevin Love opened himself up to the world in 2018 of his struggles with mental illness.
For his courage in doing so, he will be honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the 2020 ESPYs on June 21.
In his 2018 essay in The Players’ Tribune, Love — a forward for the Cavaliers — described his experience with mental illness and having panic attacks during an NBA game. He chronicled how the illness had a ripple effect beyond basketball.
After his revealing piece was published, fans from around the nation and globe began sharing details of their own mental illness challenges.
Since discussing his mental illness battles publicly, including in an interview with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullan, Love created the Kevin Love Fund and continues to shed light on dealing with mental health, speaking at conferences and meeting with children in an effort to let them know they are not alone in their struggles.
“It is an absolute honor to receive this award and I am incredibly humbled by it,” Love said in a news release from the Cavaliers. “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.”
Rob King, senior vice president and editor-atlarge for ESPN, praised Love.
“Kevin has courageously challenged stifling norms about mental wellness and masculinity, especially in the world of sports. His bold leadership in removing the stigma around mental health issues is helping many people, making this a well-deserved honor.”
The Arthur Ashe Courage Award has been presented since its inception in 1993 when Jim Valvano accepted the awared. The 2019 recipient was legendary Celtics forward Bill Russell.
The 31-year-old forward was averaging 17.6 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game when the Cavaliers’ season was halted by the coronavirus.