TAMPA, Fla — N’Jhari Jackson has won lots of awards.
The Carrollwood Day School alum earned the prestigious Congressional Award and Eagle Scout honors for his tireless work getting AED defibrillators and proper CPR training in youth sports facilities.
The tireless University of Florida freshman says the latest addition to his trophy case has special meaning.
“All my favorite athletes have won this, and now I have one, too,” says Jackson.
ESPN and ABC Action News chose N’Jhari as the recipient of an honorary ESPY Award, the annual given to athletes who excel on and off the field.
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N’Jhari, a star on Carrollwood’s football and lacrosse teams, was moved by the gesture.
“Is this even real?” said Jackson when presented with the ESPY.
It is very real.
N’Jhari also found time to write a handful of books Illuminating the struggles of teen life and raise money for Dick Vitale’s pediatric cancer charity.
“You can be a great athlete, but if you don’t have the good morals as well, it cancels everything,” says Jackson.
The ESPY Awards air Wednesday, July 10 at 8 p.m. on ABC Action News.
