Danielle Green, a former Ole Miss Rebels Women’s Basketball standout, Iraq War veteran, and Purple Heart recipient, was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at this year’s ESPY Awards, causing a wave of joy in Oxford, Michigan and around the Ole Miss community. The award, which honors people who have made an unrelenting commitment to service and leadership, recognizes Green’s amazing life story—a tribute to courage, tenacity, and steadfast dedication to others.
Green first made her mark on the court, proudly wearing the University of Mississippi’s red and blue. Known for her dedication, toughness, and leadership on the court, she soon became a fan favorite while with the Rebels. But it was after her basketball career that Green began a journey that would truly define her legacy.
Green enrolled in the United States Army because she felt compelled to do so and adored her nation. Her life was irrevocably altered in 2004 when she was injured in a rocket-propelled grenade attack while stationed in Iraq as a military police officer. The explosion resulted in the loss of her left arm. Despite the severe injuries, Green’s battling spirit was unwavering. She received the Purple Heart, one of the military’s highest decorations, for her bravery and sacrifice.
Rather of retreating in the face of tragedy, Danielle Green used her experience to create a new mission focused on helping others. She returned home and continued further education, eventually receiving a master’s degree in counseling and psychology. Green is now a Veteran Outreach Coordinator for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, where she works diligently to help veterans deal with the physical, emotional, and psychological scars of battle. Her work focuses on persons dealing with PTSD, loss of mobility, and reintegration into regular life.
Green gave a powerful and heartfelt statement at the ESPYs, dedicating the prize to her fellow service members, family, and the places that helped form her. “Basketball taught me discipline.” The military taught me to sacrifice. “And now, I use both to serve those who have served,” she explained. “This award isn’t just about me—it’s about everyone who has faced loss and found a new purpose.”
Reactions from Oxford, Ole Miss alumni, and the national athletics community flooded in swiftly. Social media was flooded with appreciation for Green’s fortitude, service, and passion. The University of Mississippi paid passionate respect to her accomplishment, describing her as a “symbol of what it means to live with courage and purpose.”
The Pat Tillman Award for Service, named after the former NFL star turned US Army Ranger who died in warfare, is one of the most meaningful awards given at the ESPYs. Danielle Green has now joined a renowned club of heroes who have used their personal experiences to inspire others. Danielle Green’s journey is one of true greatness, stretching from the courts of Oxford to the battlefields of Iraq and now to the front lines of veteran care. Congratulations, Danielle. You will always be a Rebel and a national hero.