Mendez to obtain Jimmy V Award at ESPYS
Highschool soccer coach Rob Mendez, who was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a uncommon dysfunction that brought about him to be born with out arms or legs, will obtain the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at subsequent month’s ESPYS.
“I’m extremely honored, excited and humbled to obtain this honor,” Mendez stated. “I nonetheless keep in mind one in all my favourite all-time ESPN anchors Stuart Scott delivering his Jimmy V Award acceptance speech. Thanks to ESPN and all of my household, associates and naturally gamers for believing in me! Who Says I Cannot!”
Mendez developed a ardour for soccer at an early age and has channeled his ardour right into a standout teaching profession. He taught himself the basics of soccer utilizing the Madden video video games, grew to become supervisor of the workforce as a freshman in highschool, and finally quarterback coach in his senior yr.
After graduating, he spent 12 years as an assistant coach for varied packages.
In 2018, he was employed as a head coach for the junior varsity soccer workforce at Prospect Excessive Faculty in Saratoga, CA. In his first season, he led his workforce to an Eight-2 report and narrowly misplaced the league championship sport Three-Zero.
“Rob’s complete life embodies the phrase perseverance,” stated ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro. “From the time he was born, Rob has needed to overcome all of the assumptions others had about what he could not do. But his confidence and fierce dedication to following his dream of teaching have impressed so many individuals — each on and off the sphere. He has made such a optimistic impression on his gamers, different coaches, mother and father and plenty of throughout the group — and we’re extremely proud to be presenting Rob with this award at The ESPYS.”
The ESPYS will air July 10 (ABC, 9 p.m. ET).