Latest news with #DavidWalters
CBS News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CBS News
Los Angeles-area first responders named as Pat Tillman Award recipients at ESPYs
Two Los Angeles-area first responders have been selected as recipients of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the upcoming ESPY Awards in July. David Walters, a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department, and Erin Regan, with Los Angeles County Fire, are both being honored for their response to the devastating Palisades and Eaton fires in January. "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," said a statement from ESPN. "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." The Pat Tillman Award is given out annually during the ESPYs to a person who has a connection to sports and also served others in a way "that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger, Pat Tillman." Other recipients of notable awards this year include NBA legend Oscar Robertson, who will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, and Pennsylvania State University women's volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, who will receive the Jimmy V. Award for Perseverance. Walters, who joined LAFD nearly a decade ago, is a world-record holding Olympic gold medalist and NCAA champion swimmer for the University of Texas, according to ESPN's press release. He won a medal as part of the men's 4x200-meter freestyle relay team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and also won seven medals at the World Aquatic Championships. It was there that he broke the world record for the 4x200 meter freestyle relay with teammates Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Ricky Beren. Regan was a goalkeeper for Wake Forest University's women's soccer team from 1998 to 2002 where she earned first-team All-ACC honors and set several school records. She joined the Women's United Soccer Association's Washington Freedom and took part in their Founders Cup championship before joining LACoFD in 2008. She has since been passionate about increasing female representation in the field, helping co-found the "Girls Fire Camp" and the Women's Fire Prep Academy. "It's a true privilege to recognize these inspiring individuals – a courageous NBA legend, an NCAA National Champion while battling cancer, and two elite athletes representing the service of Los Angeles first responders," said a statement from Craig Lazarus, ESPN Vice President. "Oscar Robertson, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, David Walters, and Erin Regan have shown incredible resilience, determination, and perseverance in their personal and professional lives. We are thrilled to honor and celebrate them at The 2025 ESPYS." The ESPYS, hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, will take place on July 16 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
L.A. County firefighters to receive Pat Tillman Award at ESPYs
This year's Pat Tillman Award for Service will be presented to two Los Angeles County firefighters during the ESPY awards. (Mark J. Terrill / Mark Terrill/invision/ap) In January, as wildfires tore through greater Los Angeles, more than 7,500 emergency personnel mobilized — confronting searing heat and extreme winds, trying to contain the devastation. Among them stood an Olympic gold medalist and a professional soccer champion. Advertisement L.A. County firefighters David Walters and Erin Regan, former athletes who were among the 7,500 emergency personnel who responded to the January wildfires in Southern California, earned them this year's Pat Tillman Award for Service that will be presented at the ESPY Awards. The award — named after Tillman, the former Arizona Cardinals safety who left the NFL to enlist in the Army following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and was killed in action — celebrates those with deep ties to sports who have served others, embodying Tillman's legacy. Read more: How Kings' locker room L.A. Fire helmet is much more than a good-luck charm Years before joining the fire department, Walters helped the U.S. win the 4x200-meter freestyle relay gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games. He swam the lead leg in the preliminaries, helping the team set an Olympic record that paved the way for a world-record win in the final. Advertisement During the fires, Walters recounted the exhausting conditions as crews fought blazes that scorched nearly 38,000 acres — claiming the lives of 30 people and destroying homes, businesses and landmarks in Altadena and the Pacific Palisades. 'We're pretty much trying to keep what is left here standing,' Walters told NewNation. 'So we're not laying down. We're staying in our position — that's correct, I did sleep on top of the hose bed last night, just staying ready to do what we can still do." Walters told ESPN he is honored to serve Los Angeles. "This has been a challenging year, but also a rewarding one as we watched the Los Angeles community come together to support their neighbors," he said in ESPN's award announcement. Advertisement Regan, who joined the department in 2008, once anchored the Washington Freedom to a Women's United Soccer Association title following a stellar goalkeeping career at Wake Forest, where she earned first-team All-ACC honors and broke multiple school records. Read more: Plaschke: The unbearable guilt of losing nothing — and everything — in the Altadena wildfire Outside of firehouse duties, Regan champions female representation in the fire service. She co-founded Girls' Fire Camp, a one-day program introducing young girls to firefighting, and launched the Women's Fire Prep Academy, offering mentorship and hands-on training for aspiring female firefighters. 'My career choice was inspired by my family's history of public service, so receiving this award is a tribute to the many great influences that shaped my upbringing," Regan said in ESPN's award announcement. "As first responders, we take pride in hard work and serving others, and I'm truly humbled to be recognized alongside incredible heroes like Pat Tillman.' Advertisement The ESPYs, hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, will air on ABC and steam on ESPN+ on July 16 at 8 p.m. PDT. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Mu-synch for the soul
It is a known factor that the universal language of music knows no bounds – bridging cultures and connecting people from all walks of life. Known for blending Afro-Caribbean rhythms with funk and global grooves, French-Caribbean musician David Walters is an example of this phenomenon, of creating music which resonates with audience from diverse backgrounds. He recently brought it to the city as part of the Fête de la Musique festival, held at Alliance Francaise de Bangalore on Friday, as a part of his Indian tour. 'I was surprised to receive such a warm welcome from an audience that barely knows me, an audience of all ages, from children as young as three years old to those in their 80s, 20s, and entire families. These are real encounters with the audience – baths of joy,' he shares. For Walters, music is a deeply emotional process. 'What inspires me is what I experience. I draw from lived experiences – moments of love, loss, melancholy, joy, and rebirth. My deepest inspirations come from these emotions – they are numerous and infinite,' he shares. This philosophy is reflected in his aim – to bring along and blend global influences in music. 'Caribbean rhythms are naturally part of me – they are in my DNA – and when I combine them with global influences, like Indian folk or soul from the '70s, it becomes a fusion of emotions and experiences,' Walters notes. Collaboration and cultural exchange are central to Walters' process. 'I've worked with artistes like Seun Kuti, Flavia Coelho, Keziah Jones, and many others – all born out of real human encounters,' he says. His recent collaboration with Indian classical musicians, including Rajasthan Roots, has been a revelation. 'Indian music carries immense depth, tradition, and learning. Working with them has taken me out of my comfort zone in the best way,' he adds. For Walters, live performance is more than just entertainment; it's a way to heal and connect with others. 'Music for me is more than sound; it's a space of expression and healing. And dance helps us heal, it cares and uplifts us – just like music. They are not opposed but complementary,' he emphasises, adding, 'Also, I like to leave space for the musicians I play with to express themselves. The voice may be the first instrument, but I believe that instruments, silence, and emotion also speak deeply. That honesty on stage is what allows for a real connection.' Currently touring around the nation with an aim to engage in intimate musical residencies with local folk musicians, Walters hints at potential collaborations with more Indian musicians. 'I do hope to stay longer in India someday to record with Indian musicians – there's a soulful connection between India and the Caribbean, not just musically but culturally too, especially considering the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean since colonial times,' he concludes.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
David Walters to perform in Bengaluru on June 27
French-Caribbean artist David Walters will electrify Bengaluru with his genre-blending 'Soul Tropical' sound at the Alliance Française de Bangalore in Vasanth Nagar on Friday at 7.30 p.m. Part of his India tour for Fête de la Musique, Walters infuses Afro-Caribbean beats with soul, funk, and global grooves. His latest album celebrates heritage, healing, and joy through music, featuring collaborations with artists from across the world. The Bengaluru concert will feature two local musicians, following the huge success of the city's Fête de la Musique.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
David Walters performs lights up Chandigarh with soul tropical rhythms
The Tagore Theatre resonated with infectious energy and global rhythms as French-Caribbean artist David Walters captivated the audience during a rousing live performance recently in Chandigarh. The Chandigarh leg of Walters' Soul Tropical India tour was held as part of the worldwide Fête de la Musique celebrations, presented by the French Institute in India and Alliance Française. The evening unfolded into an immersive musical experience blending Afro-Caribbean roots, soul, funk, and global grooves. From pulsating percussion to melodic storytelling, Walters and his band delivered a powerful performance that echoed his message of joy, resilience, and cultural connection. Chandigarh's concert marked one of several stops on the India tour, with Walters set to bring his signature sound to other cities including New Delhi, Bhopal, Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Jaipur. The concert was free and open to all, aligning with the spirit of Fête de la Musique — a global celebration that makes music accessible to everyone.
