{"id":1312381,"date":"2019-07-13T15:56:00","date_gmt":"2019-07-13T21:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/ironbridge-resident-kirstie-ennis-took-home-a-pat-tillman-award-at-last-weeks-espys\/"},"modified":"2019-07-13T15:56:00","modified_gmt":"2019-07-13T21:56:00","slug":"ironbridge-resident-kirstie-ennis-took-home-a-pat-tillman-award-at-last-weeks-espys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/ironbridge-resident-kirstie-ennis-took-home-a-pat-tillman-award-at-last-weeks-espys\/","title":{"rendered":"Ironbridge resident Kirstie Ennis took home a Pat Tillman Award at last week\u2019s ESPYs"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.6915254237288\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-983838-323\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Provided | Former Marine Sergeant and current Ironbridge resident Kirstie Ennis received the Pat Tillman Award at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday night. Ennis is pictured here with the award and the award's presenter, Usher.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-0.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10\">\n<p><strong>Former Marine Sergeant and current Ironbridge resident Kirstie Ennis received the Pat Tillman Award at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday night. Ennis is pictured here with the award and the award&#8217;s presenter, Usher.<\/strong><br \/>Provided<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1.jpg\" alt=\"Former Marine Sergeant and current Ironbridge resident Kirstie Ennis received the Pat Tillman Award at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday night. Ennis is pictured here with the award and the award's presenter, Usher.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-1.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Provided | Kirstie Ennis is pictured here with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance winner, Rob Mendez.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>Kirstie Ennis is pictured here with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance winner, Rob Mendez.<\/strong><br \/>Provided<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Kirstie Ennis is pictured here with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance winner, Rob Mendez.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-2.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Provided | Kirstie Ennis poses with the Pat Tillman Award backstage at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles last Wednesday night.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>Kirstie Ennis poses with the Pat Tillman Award backstage at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles last Wednesday night.<\/strong><br \/>Provided<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-2.jpg\" alt=\"Kirstie Ennis poses with the Pat Tillman Award backstage at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles last Wednesday night.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-3.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Provided | Kirstie Ennis on the red carpet with the Pat Tillman award at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday.\" class=\"h-100\" readability=\"-1.5\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"8\">\n<p><strong>Kirstie Ennis on the red carpet with the Pat Tillman award at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday.<\/strong><br \/>Provided<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.postindependent.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2019\/07\/EnnisPatTillmanaward-GPI-071319-1-3.jpg\" alt=\"Kirstie Ennis on the red carpet with the Pat Tillman award at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday.\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/ironbridge-resident-kirstie-ennis-took-home-a-pat-tillman-award-at-last-weeks-espys\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/ironbridge-resident-kirstie-ennis-took-home-a-pat-tillman-award-at-last-weeks-espys\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Recognizing her service to others, and the inspiring courage and determination to not let physical limitations slow her down, former U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant and Ironbridge resident Kirstie Ennis received the Pat Tillman Award Wednesday night in Los Angeles at ESPN\u2019s the ESPYs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The award is named after former NFL safety and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who died during active service in Afghanistan after he returned to the military following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The 27-year-old Army Ranger was killed in a friendly-fire incident in Afghanistan in 2004.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The Pat Tillman Award for Service was established in 2014 to commemorate his legacy, \u201cand honor an individual with a strong connection to sports who has a served others in a way that echoes his legacy,\u201d according to a news release.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">battled back<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote p402_hide\" readability=\"2.5\">\n<blockquote readability=\"8\">\n<p>\u201cIt has taken a village to get me to this point in my life, and I would not be where I am now without the amazing people surrounding me.\u201d\u2014 Kirstie Ennis, upon receiving the Pat Tillman Award<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Ennis has had more than a dozen surgeries \u2014 including amputation of her left leg above the knee \u2014 after suffering facial trauma, a traumatic brain injury, cervical and lumbar spine trauma, and bilateral shoulder damage in a June 23, 2012 helicopter crash in Afghanistan. It was her second tour of duty in country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Turning to sports during her recovery, Ennis created the Kirstie Ennis Foundation to provide education and opportunity in the outdoors and to support other nonprofits dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals and families.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">During that time, Ennis was <a id=\"N0x23b20a0N0x23aeee0:N0x23b20a0N0x2575208\" href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/local\/wounded-marine-and-snowboarder-gets-her-new-ironbridge-home\/\">awarded a home<\/a> in the Ironbridge community outside Glenwood Springs in September 2017. That allowed her to be closer to Aspen, where the former Marine sergeant trains as a snowboarder in hopes of competing in the Paralympics in the near future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">moutaineering pursuits<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Prior to receiving the award, Ennis was in the process of trying to summit Mt. Everest, which would have been her fifth summit on five continents. She continues her pursuit of seven peaks on all seven continents.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Ennis and her team were 200 meters from the Everest summit when they had to turn back due to dangerously low oxygen levels. Once back stateside in late May, Ennis found out she was going to receive the Pat Tillman award at this year\u2019s ESPYs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">reluctant recipient<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWhen they called me, I\u2019d been to the ESPYs two other years, so I didn\u2019t really want to go back out,\u201d Ennis said. \u201cI was actually politely trying to decline.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI am not a fan of all the glitz and the glamour and the red carpet, and LA is just too hot. But then the producers came back and told me I had stage time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">She said her mind went to a possible female award, so she figured she could have someone accept it for her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cBut when they told me I was going to receive the Pat Tillman award, I was immediately all-in,\u201d she said. \u201cThe Pat Tillman award is the most amazing award to win, so I felt so honored to even be considered.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Talking to Marie Tillman, Pat Tillman\u2019s widow, Ennis said she was encouraged to continue doing what she\u2019s doing, and told her why she was chosen for the award.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cShe said it\u2019s because of the way I\u2019m living my life and my service above myself,\u201d Ennis said. \u201cShe told me that she felt there was no one more deserving for this award, which really touched me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Ennis said that conversation really reenforced what she has been doing these last few years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt\u2019s really rare to be 28 years old and feel like I know my purpose twice in life; that was the biggest takeaway for me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">humble acceptance<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Winning an award requires an acceptance speech, which Ennis admitted took her out of her comfort zone. But she had a sincere message for the athletes in attendance, and those watching at home.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt has taken a village to get me to this point in my life, and I would not be where I am now without the amazing people surrounding me,\u201d she said of her acceptance speech. \u201cI wanted there to be a lot of heart and soul that came through \u2026 and to let people know they\u2019re not alone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Before walking up onto the stage last Wednesday evening, Ennis watched a video about her journey with the rest of the audience. The video ran roughly 4 minutes and was filled with emotion, which kick-started a wave of emotions for the former Marine.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">After Usher announced Ennis as the award winner, the audience gave her a standing ovation as she walked up on stage. The ovation lasted 3 minutes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Subhead\">moving moment<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt was pretty wild,\u201d Ennis said. \u201cAs they played that video, I was super emotional. I only saw it one time before they played it at the ESPYs. It\u2019s sasy to reflect on things, but in that moment that my feet hit the stage to go up there it all subsided.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201c\u2026 With all that support that I felt in that moment, it\u2019s hard to be nervous there. It was just a special, special moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Back in the valley after a busy travel schedule early in the year, Ennis is set to enjoy some downtime before attempting to summit Cotapaxi in Ecuador, and helping children in need of prosthetics. She also plans to climb Denali next June.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Aside from her climbing exploits, Ennis intends to bike the Great Divide in the near future, while also swimming the English Channel.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">And, after that, maybe seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, she said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText Tagline\"><a href=\"mailto:jcarney@postindependent.com\">jcarney@postindependent.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/news\/ironbridge-resident-kirstie-ennis-took-home-a-pat-tillman-award-at-last-weeks-espys\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: Post Independent<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Former Marine Sergeant and current Ironbridge resident Kirstie Ennis received the Pat Tillman Award at the 2019 ESPYs in Los Angeles Wednesday night. Ennis is pictured here with the award and the award&#8217;s presenter, Usher.Provided Kirstie Ennis is pictured here with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance winner, Rob Mendez.Provided Kirstie Ennis poses with the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1312381","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-06-20 15:28:50","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSKE Ski Country","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1312381","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1312381"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1312381\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1312381"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1312381"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1312381"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}