During the 2018 MTV Movie and TV Awards, which aired on Monday night, "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman received the Best Hero Award. However, while accepting the honor he decided to pay tribute to a real-life hero, James Shaw Jr.- who saved several lives back in April when he disarmed a man who opened fire at a Tennessee Waffle House.
"Receiving an award for playing a superhero is amazing, but it's even greater to acknowledge the heroes that we have in real life," Boseman said. "So I just want to acknowledge somebody that's here today. James Shaw Jr. , Where are you? Stand. If you don't know James Shaw Jr., he fought off a gunman in Antioch, Tennessee at a Waffle House. He saved lives. Come on up here."
🍿🍿🍿 and more 🍿… THANK YOU #MTVAwards! #BlackPanther fans, you’re incredible. During the show, I was honored to meet @JamesShawJr9. He saved countless lives by tackling a gunman who opened fire on people in Antioch, Tennessee in April. He’s a true hero that walks among us. pic.twitter.com/bIF8vOk3v3
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) June 19, 2018
Just hours after the shooting, Shaw, who was grazed by a bullet, started a GoFund campaign for the victims and their families. He went on to raise over $200,000.
"So, this is gonna live at your house," Boseman said to Shaw in his acceptance speech. Shaw had the perfect response: the Wakanda salute.
Photo credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Watch Boseman's full acceptance speech below.
The #MTVAwards Best Hero @chadwickboseman shares his award with a real life hero 🏆 pic.twitter.com/dTyqcmFVwx
— MTV (@MTV) June 19, 2018