Chadwick Boseman of 'Black Panther' Gave His MTV Best Hero Award to James Shaw Jr.

During his acceptance speech for Best Hero at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards, Boseman acknowledged real-life hero James Shaw Jr., who disarmed a gunman at a Waffle House in Tennessee.

James Shaw Jr. accepts award from Actor Chadwick Boseman.
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SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 16: James Shaw Jr. accepts award from Actor Chadwick Boseman onstage at the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards at Barker Hangar on June 16, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

James Shaw Jr. accepts award from Actor Chadwick Boseman.

After winning Best Hero at the 2018 MTV Movie & TV Awards for his role as T’Challa in Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman surprised James Shaw Jr. during his acceptance speech by acknowledging his real-life heroic efforts in April. Boseman asked Shaw to come up to the stage where he personally handed him the trophy. 

The #MTVAwards Best Hero @chadwickboseman shares his award with a real life hero 🏆 pic.twitter.com/dTyqcmFVwx

— MTV (@MTV) June 19, 2018

Shaw Jr. disarmed a gunman who opened fire at a Waffle House in Antioch, Tennessee. Even though four people died, the death toll could have been far greater if it weren’t for Shaw putting his life on the line for everyone else in the restaurant. People showered Boseman with praise for his humble gesture.

Chadwick Boseman acknowledging James Shaw Jr. and bringing him on stage and GIVING HIM HIS HERO AWARD is the greatest moment I’ve ever seen on television #MTVAwards⁠ ⁠

— Chelly (@ChelHanson) June 19, 2018

Chadwick just gave his superhero award to James Shaw. I need everyone to embrace what an amazing moment that was. A man that dominated the superhero universe and broke boundaries gave his award to a real life hero who put his life on the line for strangers. #MTVAwards

— 97.9 KISS FM (@979KISSFM) June 19, 2018

@chadwickboseman is a class act! That Best Hero acceptance speech was so beautiful, and even more by dedicating it to James Shaw Jr. for his heroism and bravery in fighting off that Waffle House gunman. Gotta love him man 😢❤️ #MTVMovieAwards #BlackPanther

— allys☀️n (@Ally_STUHvauna) June 19, 2018

@chadwickboseman just won "Best Hero' at #MTVAwards but then called up James Shaw Jr. and presented Shaw the award and told him it's staying at his home. Shaw is the hero who disarmed gunman at TN Waffle House. Very cool moment!

— Cody Alcorn (@CodyAlcorn) June 19, 2018

Chadwick Boseman gave away his "Hero" MTV award to a real hero, the young man who fought off a gunman at a Waffle House, James Shaw. That may be the most humble, real thing I've ever seen an actor do. #MTVAwards

— Lily 💚 VIP+CHOICE+iKONIC 4 LIFE 👑🍀💜 (@lilithofnod) June 19, 2018

Boseman just wanted to show some appreciation to "a true hero that walks among us."

🍿🍿🍿 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

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