LOS ANGELES — Two Los Angeles firefighters — Erin Regan of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and David Walters of the Los Angeles Fire Department — were honored with the 2025 Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPN’s ESPY Awards, recognizing their dedication on and off the fireground during the Palisades Fire.
The award, presented live at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on July 16, was introduced by Emmy-winning actress Angela Bassett. Bassett spoke to the legacy of Pat Tillman, who left professional football to serve his country, emphasizing that the foundation’s award goes to those who exemplify selfless service and leadership in the face of adversity.
“Earlier this year, here in Southern California, a series of wildfires devastated the lives of thousands of our neighbors,” Bassett said. “But even if the damage was immeasurable, it could have been even worse if not for a group of heroes who fought the blazes, including two individuals whose sense of service and selflessness had their roots in the sports world where they came from.”
From world-class athletes to the front lines
Both recipients have backgrounds in elite athletics. David Walters, a former swimmer, earned Olympic gold at the 2008 Games and set world records in 2009. Erin Regan was a soccer standout at Wake Forest and played professionally in the Women’s United Soccer Association.
For both, the transition from sports to fire service was driven by a desire to serve — and to be counted on in critical moments. The firefighters detailed their transition to the fire service in a video that aired at the ESPY Awards.
“I’ve just always liked being counted on. That’s probably why I chose goalkeeper,” Regan said. “And I think that’s something … that led me to the career I do now.”
Walters echoed that sentiment, sharing how the skills and values honed in athletics — discipline, resilience, teamwork — prepared them for the unpredictable and dangerous work of firefighting.
“It was always a dream to go to the Olympics and compete in my sport, but to actually get to represent your country, it’s a phenomenal feeling to give back to your country,” Walters said.
Battling California’s wildfire crisis
The January wildfires that swept through Pacific Palisades and Altadena demanded all hands from L.A. city and county firefighters. Regan and Walters were among the 6,500 professional firefighters who responded, facing what they described as “apocalyptic” conditions.
“When you’re actually there and everything’s smoking and the sun is blotted out by smoke, I think it really hits you,” Regan said during the ceremony. “When something’s apocalyptic, it makes you feel small, and I feel like I felt that way. It’s very stressful to stay committed and not lose focus for that many hours, but we were feeding off of each other... There was still a lot of hope.”
In accepting the award, Walters and Regan credited the entire fire service team, emphasizing that the honor was not an individual one.
“Aaron and I are honored to stand here not for ourselves, but for all the men and women who put duty above all else in these critical days, meeting the moment with skill and strength,” Walters said.
A message about mental health and the legacy of service
Both firefighters used the national stage to address the ongoing challenges first responders face — including mental health and the lasting impact of trauma.
Walters, dedicating the award to his mother, who died by suicide, said, “Past recipients of this award and elite athletes have devoted their lives to mental health and suicide prevention. Issues remain urgent in public service and beyond. I truly believe that by working together, we can lessen the impact of this devastating illness.”
Regan thanked fire families for supporting firefighters who respond for days or weeks at a time, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and community: “No one fights fires of this magnitude by themselves. So we recognize that this is not an individual award. It’s a team award. And we are proud to be representatives of our respective departments and every single firefighter that was out there in January.”
Carrying on Pat Tillman’s legacy
In closing, Regan and Walters invoked the fire service tradition of “succession of responsibility,” honoring Pat Tillman’s legacy with a simple message:
“Rest easy, brother. We’ll take it from here.”
