By Ryan Talbot  .  Buffalo Bills legend Jim Kelly received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYs on Wednesday night.

The award, named after North Carolina State men’s basketball coach Jim Valvano, is given yearly to “a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles through perseverance and determination.”

Kelly, has inspired many with his perserverance and determination as he’s battled cancer. The Hall of Fame quarterback underwent a 12-hour operation in April to have cancer removed from his jaw. Kelly had been cancer free since September 2014 after he was initially diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in 2013.

In June, Kelly revealed that he’d be receiving the Jimmy V award. He told the media that he felt he was put in a situation to help others.

“I was just told about a week and a half ago that I’m receiving an ESPY for the Jimmy V award,” Kelly said. “People are saying, ‘that’s awesome.’ Yeah, it’s awesome. The only thing bad about it is you have to go through a lot in order to get that award. I just know in my heart that the good lord put me in this situation to help other people. Not just people going through cancer, but little kids that are going through tough times to never give up to keep fighting because you never know.”On Wednesday night, Kelly’s message was based on faith, family, fans and friends.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — More than 140 survivors of sexual abuse by a former team doctor for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University joined hands on stage to be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage at the ESPYs.The women who spoke out against the abuse by Larry Nassar stood together Wednesday night in a powerful and solemn closing to the show highlighting the past year’s top athletes and moments in sports.

Gymnast Aly Raisman, softball player Tiffany Thomas Lopez and gymnast Sarah Klein, who said she was Nassar’s first victim 30 years ago, took turns speaking. Klein chided the U.S. Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State for placing “money and medals above the safety of child athletes.”

Olympic snowboarding champion Chloe Kim won a leading three ESPYs, including best female athlete, while Alex Ovechkin claimed best male athlete.

Former Buffalo Bills quarterback, Jim Kelly received the perserverence award, while the Viking Minnesota Miracle in the playoffs received the sports moment award.