On Monday night, the MTV Movie and TV Awards aired, and they were pretty much what you’d expect from an awards show. However, the ceremony did have a few redeeming moments, and our faith in Hollywood may just be restored.
As Micah noted, Chris Pratt gave a refreshing acceptance speech filled with some real advice for the next generation that was, surprisingly, completely devoid of politics. But Pratt’s “nine rules” still come in second to Chadwick Boseman’s acceptance speech.
The “Black Panther” star received the Best Hero award, and while he was grateful for the honor, he thought someone else was much more deserving of the trophy.
After thanking his fans for making the movie what it is, Boseman went on to say, "Receiving an award for playing a superhero is amazing, but it’s even greater to acknowledge the heroes we have in real life." He then asked James Shaw Jr. to come up to the stage.
For those of you who don’t know, Shaw was the extraordinary man who tackled and disarmed a gunman in Antioch, Tennessee, earlier this year, effectively putting an end to the Waffle House shooting.
When he reached the stage, Boseman happily told the real-life hero, “So, this is going to live at your house…God bless you, man.”
Boseman recognized Shaw again the following morning on Twitter.?????? 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
Back in April, Shaw told The Tennessean that he doesn’t consider himself a hero: “I don’t really know, when everyone said that (of being a hero), it feels selfish. I was just trying to get myself out. I saw the opportunity and pretty much took it.”
But if the audience’s cheers and the social media response are anything to go by, America disagrees.
Wow! That was dope of @chadwickboseman to give @JamesShawJr9 the #MTVAwards for his bravery at the Waffle House. Well deserved man! Well deserved!
— Nequita S Hunter (@NeQuitaHunter) June 19, 2018
This is great! #truehero
— Charles Humphrey Jr. (@raftlife1) June 19, 2018
Well done. Giving honor (sharing honor) where it is due.
— lamplighter57 (@lamplighter571) June 19, 2018
Mr. Shaw Jr. is a real hero and that was a superb move on your part to give your hard earned acknowledgement to him. You are an awesome man!
— MsA (@1MsAWest) June 19, 2018
Shaw thanked MTV for the invite and everyone at the awards ceremony for the love they showed him on Instagram.
Perhaps awards shows are still worth watching.
One social media user even suggested a new show, and it's definitely something we'd tune in to.
Amazing! Why don’t we have an award show for real heroes? That’s the trend I want to see.
— Erin Gann (@erin_gann) June 19, 2018
Hollywood actors get enough recognition. Let's start honoring the ordinary men and women who do extraordinary things when it really counts.