Video: Devon Still's Gut-Wrenching Speech At ESPYS
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It was the highlight of the 2015 ESPY Awards, and frankly, it wasn't even close.
After a seven-minute montage describing the relationship between Cincincatti Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still, his five-year-old daughter Leah, and her fight---their fight---against cancer, Still accepted the Jimmy V. perseverance award from LeBron James, an idol of Leah's.
Still, a native of Camden, New Jersey and former Penn Stater, thanked James for being someone his daughter could look up to through her treacherous battle with cancer. Then, he began to tell his remarkable story.
Still admitted he thought about drinking away his pain, but ultimately refrained.
"I couldn't do it because every day I preached to my daughter that she couldn't give up...and who I was to go try to find an escape through liquor and she had no escape through the pain she was going through," Still explained. "So I didn't do it."
The humble Still addressed all children fighting cancer, calling them heroes.
"Y'all never give up," he said. "You know, on TV I look like a hero. I look like I'm saving the day, but honestly y'all are the real heroes.
"I am here today to let y'all know, as long as I have this platform I'm going to continue to fight for y'all," Still said. "And let ya'll know just how important your lives are."
Lastly, Still ended his speech with a touching video message from Leah, who was back home at Children's hospital of Philadelphia receiving treatment.
"Sorry I couldn't be there everybody, but thank you for supporting me while I beat up cancer," said Leah. "Hey LeBron, hey daddy."
