Ruskan to receive Pat Tillman award at Espy Awards

One of the heroes of the July, 2025 catastrophic floods in the Texas Hill Country will be honored at this year’s Espy Awards.  U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the 2026 awards.

26-year-old Ruskan executed multiple high-risk rescues on his first-ever mission, saving 165 children from flood waters at Camp Mystic.

The Pat Tilman award is given to a person with a strong connection to sports who serves others in a way that echoes the legacy of Army Ranger Pat Tillman, who gave up his NFL career in the wake of 9/11 to serve in the U.S. Army.

During President Donald Trump’s address to Congress in February, Trump called out Ruskan  and raved about his heroics.  “And Petty Officer Ruskan, I’m pleased to inform you, I am now awarding you the Legion of Merit for extraordinary heroism, which is what it was – extraordinary heroism,” Trump said.

The Espy Awards will be held on July 15, ESPN executives said.