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Chadwick Boseman Gives Away 'Best Hero' Award To Actual Hero James Shaw Jr

Chadwick Boseman Gives Away 'Best Hero' Award To Actual Hero James Shaw Jr

'Receiving an award for playing a superhero is amazing, but it's even greater to acknowledge the heroes that we have in real life'

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman had the audience feeling emotional at last night's MTV Movie and TV Awards with his touching tribute to 'Waffle House hero' James Shaw Jr.

Boseman scooped the 'Best Hero' award at last night's ceremony but rather than accept the honour, he decided to pass it on to real-life hero Shaw Jr. How nice is that?

After stepping on stage to pick up his gong, Boseman said: "Thank you to the fans - you made this movie special. You made this moment special.

"When Black Panther came out, Ryan Coogler [Black Panther director] and I wanted to make sure that we did a movie that everybody could embrace. So thank you so much for what you did.

PA

He then added: "Receiving an award for playing a superhero is amazing, but it's even greater to acknowledge the heroes that we have in real life.

"So I just want to acknowledge somebody who's here today - James Shaw Jr."

At this point he asks Shaw Jr to stand, before saying: "If you don't know James Shaw Jr., he fought off a gunman in Antioch, Tennessee, at a Waffle House to save lives."

Passing the popcorn-bucket-shaped award to Shaw Jr he told him: "This is going to live at your house."

Shaw Jr, 29, was hailed a hero after apprehending gunman Travis Reinking, who carried out the attack on innocent people, which left four dead. Shaw Jr was grazed by a bullet as he attempted to take the AR-15 away from Reinking. Cops said his actions prevented 'great bloodshed'.

When being called a hero following the incident, he modestly said: "I'm not a hero, I'm just a regular person.

PA

"I think anybody could have done what I did if they are pushed in that kind of cage.

"I don't want people to think that I was the Terminator or Superman or anybody like that."

Showing that he's not just courageous but also a thoroughly decent chap, Shaw Jr then set up a GoFundMe page for the victims of the shooting, which raised $241,731 (£183,288) in a month.

Thanking donors, he said in a statement: "To the thousands of people who have expressed their care, prayers and made financial donations, I can only respond by saying 'Thank you'.

"Your gifts to the people who lost their lives and suffered injuries mean so much for all who were impacted by this terrible tragedy."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Chadwick Boseman, TV and Film, black panther, US Entertainment