Congratulations to Danielle Green, a former West Virginia University (WVU) women’s basketball player, Iraq war veteran, and Purple Heart recipient, who received the Pat Tillman Award for Service at this year’s ESPY Awards. The award, named for the late NFL player and Army Ranger, honors people who have a strong commitment to service, courage, and selflessness—values that Green has demonstrated throughout her extraordinary life.
Green, who once lit up the floor in Morgantown with her tenacity and leadership, left basketball for a life of duty, entering the United States Army following college. In 2004, while serving as a military police officer in Iraq, she was seriously injured in a rocket-propelled grenade attack, losing her left arm. Her bravery and sacrifice earned her the Purple Heart, a sign of valor and resilience. But Danielle Green’s story didn’t finish there; it had only just begun.
Since returning from active duty, Green has turned her experience into purpose. She holds a master’s degree in counseling and psychology and currently works as a Veteran Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Veterans Affairs. In this role, she dedicates her life to assisting fellow veterans in navigating the often difficult transition from military to civilian life, particularly those dealing with trauma and disabilities. Her compassion, lived experience, and tireless activism have established her as a reliable voice and source of strength in the veteran community.
Green gave an emotional and inspirational statement on stage at the ESPYs, praising her family, fellow service personnel, and the West Virginia University community. “I may have lost a limb, but I never lost the fight,” she stated. “Basketball taught me discipline.” The military taught me resilience. And my aim now is to assist others with the same enthusiasm and purpose.”
The Pat Tillman Award for Service is given to people whose dedication extends beyond personal achievement, and Danielle Green exemplifies that goal. She inspires not only sportsmen and veterans, but anyone looking to make a difference in the face of adversity. Her journey—from the courts of West Virginia University to the battlefields of Iraq to the halls of veteran support—demonstrates the power of tenacity, service, and heart. Congratulations, Danielle Green; you truly represent the best of us.