Relay World-Record Holder David Walters to Receive Pat Tillman Award for Service at ESPYS
Sixteen years after David Walters helped the United States set a world record in the 800 freestyle relay, he will receive one of the signature honors in sports at the upcoming ESPY Awards. Walters is now a member of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, and he will be one recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Walters will be recognized for his work defending Southern California from devastating wildfires earlier this year. He will be one of two former athletes to receive the honor alongside Erin Regan, a four-year goalkeeper for the Wake Forest University women’s soccer team and now a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
A press release from ESPN described the reasoning for the award, which is named in honor of former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman:
“Both Walters and Regan chose the path of public service, with Regan serving the Los Angeles County Fire Department and Walters serving the Los Angeles City Fire Department. In early 2025, Southern California faced devastating wildfires, with over 7,500 emergency personnel, including Walters and Regan, mobilized to combat the blaze. Both honorees were on the front lines battling extreme winds and fire behavior while tragically losing colleagues and working tirelessly to defend their city in one of the most devastating fires in Los Angeles history. ESPN presents this award to David Walters and Erin Regan in recognition of their service and as representatives of all first responders who battled the Greater Los Angeles wildfires.”
During his swimming career, Walters qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and won a gold medal after swimming the 800 freestyle relay in prelims. A year later, Walters was part of two world-record-setting relays at the 2009 World Championships. The 800 free relay mark he set alongside Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Ricky Berens is still standing while a 400 medley relay mark with Aaron Peirsol, Eric Shanteau and Phelps lasted until 2021.
Walters also set an American record in the 100 freestyle at that 2009 global meet, with his time of 47.33 surviving until Caeleb Dressel broke it in 2017. Walters competed for the University of Texas for four years, helping his team to win an NCAA team title in 2010, and he retired after missing out on a second Olympic team in 2012.
The ESPYS will take place July 16 at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, with the show airing at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and ESPN+. Walters might not be the only swimmer recognized as Gretchen Walsh is one of four athletes nominated for best college athlete in women’s sports. Walsh recently concluded her astounding four-year career at the University of Virginia with seven total wins as part of the Cavaliers’ dominant victory at the NCAA Championships.
Read the full announcement from ESPN here.