EXCLUSIVE: Jon Stewart to Present Service Award to Disabled Veteran and Invictus Gold Medalist at 2017 ESPYS

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Jon Stewart is set to honor a true American hero.

ET can exclusively confirm that the former Daily Show host will present U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro with the Pat Tillman Award for Service at The 2017 ESPYS next month.

Del Toro was serving in Afganistan in 2005 when a mine explosion left him comatose, with several severed fingers and burns over most of his body. Despite being given only a 15 percent chance of survival, The ESPYS revealed in a press release, the servicemember survived and went on to compete in the first and second Invictus games, taking home the gold medal for shotput in 2016.

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“First, I'm humbled for even being considered for this prestigious award named after Pat Tillman, a man I admire, but to actually receive this honor is unbelievable,” said Del Toro in a statement. “When I heard that Pat Tillman gave up a career in the NFL to serve his country after the 911 attacks, it gave me so much pride to call him a brother in arms. He truly is a shining example of Service Before Self. To Mrs. Tillman and the Pat Tillman Foundation, I give you my pledge that I'll always try to live up to the true meaning of the Pat Tillman Award for Service in everything I do, and to represent his spirit to the best of my ability.”

Past Pat Tillman award honorees include U.S. Paralympic gold medal sled hockey player and Purple Heart recipient Josh Sweeney, as well as former Notre Dame basketball player, Iraq war veteran and Purple Heart recipient Danielle Green, and heralded paraswimmer and Iraq war veteran Sgt. Elizabeth Marks.

The 25th ESPYS Presented by Capital One, hosted by Peyton Manning, will air on ABC on July 12.

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