All you need to know about the Warrior Games 2017, including the latest news and features from the event.
What is the Warrior Games?
The Warrior Games bring together post-9/11 wounded warriors across all U.S. services, showcasing the power and resiliency of the competitors and their families. This year's event will be held in downtown Chicago, the first time on public grounds. The event served as Prince Harry's inspiration for the Invictus Games.
Click here to learn more about the Games.
News and features
'That's what really sent me to the rock bottom': British Army veteran Laura Knowles has struggled with depression and self-abuse for most of her life. After serving for five years in the military band, she was given her discharge. But through sports, she's found the support -- and the fun -- she needs. Read
The interruption -- and then reinvention -- of Melissa Klotz' go-go-go lifestyle: Melissa Klotz doesn't like to stop. And when an injury on her ship turned into a hip replacement, she had to figure out how to get going again. Read
Best of the Warrior Games: Jon Stewart, the former host of "The Daily Show," and several of the Warrior Games athletes describe what the event means to veterans. Watch
'There were a lot of people in my corner,' says Brian Williams: There was a time when Air Force Master Sgt. Brian Williams thought he would never be active duty again. But someone backed him up when he'd nearly lost hope. Read
Brian Williams tells the story of losing his leg in Afghanistan, his special relationship with a military working dog and how adaptive sports have helped him: Watch
Jon Stewart delivers an inspiring speech at the Warrior Games, explaining how the athletes are not only surviving, but thriving. Watch
Fisher House's impact on AJ Mohammed: Mohammed describes his recovery from an eye injury in combat and the impact the Fisher House had on him and his family. Mohammed competes at the Warrior Games in archery. Watch
Jon Stewart gets pumped after Navy wins on buzzer-beater: Navy drives down the length of the court and hits a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer to defeat Army. Watch
The story of how Brant became Brant again: A fluke fall while on deployment in Afghanistan changed the course of Brant Ireland's life. For a while, it was going in the wrong direction -- until he found something to give him a reason to get up and go. Read
A first for everything: Sgt. 1st Class Brant Ireland, who lost his leg in Afghanistan, will be making his Warrior Games debut in the pool as a swimmer. Ireland describes overcoming challenges and participating. Watch
Marine Cpl. Dakota Boyer challenges himself, inspires others: When Cpl. Dakota Boyer plays volleyball or swims, it takes him back to the days when he was doing exactly what he was meant to do, being on a team, being a Marine. Read
Steele impressed by Boyer's resilience Michelle Steele shares marine Dakota Boyer's story of overcoming his injury through swimming and how he proved the doctors wrong by learning how to walk again. Watch
Wheelchair basketball is a true contact sport Ahead of the Gold Medal game, Michelle Steele describes the aggressive, physical nature of wheelchair basketball. U.S. Marine Matthew Grashen explains how the athletes don't associate their injury with the game itself. Watch
What it means to be a warrior: In the context of the 2017 Warrior Games, Hannah Storm talks about the meaning of "warrior." Watch
The superhero in James Pradke's family: At the Warrior Games, one might assume that U.S. Army Maj. James Pradke is the hero in the family. But it was someone much smaller who helped his family when they needed it the most. Read
Trust on display at Warrior games: Michele Steele explains why trust is paramount between legally blind cyclist Guillermo Lopez and his partner Jorge Avalos. Watch
The phone call that changed Michael Barefoot's life: In 2013, Michael Barefoot was seconds away from committing suicide -- and then the phone rang. The call was one of the key moments that helped the Marine move forward after serving in Afghanistan and Kuwait. Read
Iraq veteran Ryan Major competing in shot put: Michele Steele interviews Ryan Major, who suffered injuries from an IED, as he takes part in the shot put at the 2017 Warrior Games and how the event has changed his life. Watch
How a ray of sunshine saved Dawn Page's life: Injured and alone in a cave in Jordan, Special Ops medic Dawn Page knew that if she was going to survive, she would have to save herself. She just didn't expect that she would have to follow her heart to do it. Read
The fighting spirit of Christy Gardner When Christy Gardner lost a leg in 2006, she struggled with depression, but she pushed on. Ten years later, her other leg was amputated after years of numbness. Today, she's found more joy than ever. Read
SC Featured: Gardner thrives on being part of a team: Warrior Games athlete and disabled Army veteran Christy Gardner sits down with Jon Stewart to discuss overcoming her injuries and how her relationship with her dog Moxie has changed. Watch
SC Featured: A Warrior's Way Watch how a golden retriever named Moxie helped disabled Army veteran Christy Gardner find new meaning in life. Watch
SC Featured podcast: Jon Stewart talks about the Warrior Games and the value of military service members and veterans who shine in them. Plus, the inspiring story of Army veteran Christy Gardner. Listen
Stewart impressed by resiliency of injured veterans E:60's Bob Woodruff sits down with Jon Stewart about how members of the U.S. military have impacted his life, how sports have helped veterans find their place back home and how his beloved Mets continue to frustrate him. Watch
'I wasn't supposed to wake up, but I did': Air Force Staff Sgt. Matt Cable wasn't injured in combat. He fought a different kind of life-threatening condition: cancer. And less than three years later, he's competing in four track events at the Warrior Games. Read
Warrior Games archer Manny Gonzalez's invisible injuries: When Manny Gonzalez came home from Afghanistan with shrapnel in both legs from a blast, he says he had the "wrong attitude." And shortly after, he had to deal with more than his physical injury. Read
'I refuse to be average': Christopher McGinnis isn't the type of guy to sit on the sidelines -- even after a knee injury threatened to do just that. Ahead of the Warrior Games (June 30-July 8), where he'll compete in six events, ESPN catches up with him and event host Jon Stewart. Read
Outside The Lines: Participants of the 2017 Warrior Games, along with Stewart, discuss what they're expecting from this year's competition. Watch
The Windy City: Comedian Jon Stewart hopes the city of Chicago comes out to support the 2017 competition. Watch
TV coverage
SportsCenter will be on-site in Chicago on Friday, July 7, to provide coverage and features on the Games and athletes. Hannah Storm will co-host with guest anchor Jon Stewart, along with on-site reporter Michele Steele.
Schedule
The complete event schedule for the Games, which run from June 30-July 8 (all times local):
June 30
McCormick Place/Lakeside Center
Shooting: 7:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Sitting volleyball: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Wheelchair basketball: 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
July 1
McCormick Place/Lakeside Center
Shooting: 7:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Sitting volleyball: 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Wheelchair basketball: 1:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Solider Field
Opening Ceremony: 7 p.m.-11 p.m.
July 2
Lane Tech Academy
Track competition: 2 p.m.-9 p.m.
July 3
McCormick Place/Lakeside Center
Archery competition: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
July 4
Family Day (no competition)
July 5
Soldier Field
Field competition: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
July 6
Museum Campus
Cycling competition: 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
McCormick Place/Lakeside Center
Shooting pistol finals: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
July 7
McCormick Place/Lakeside Center
Shooting rifle finals: 8 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
United Center
Sitting volleyball bronze match: 1 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Sitting volleyball gold match: 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Wheelchair basketball gold game: 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Wheelchair basketball bronze game: 7:15 p.m.-8:45 p.m.
July 8
University of Illinois at Chicago
Swim competition: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Navy Pier
Closing ceremony: 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.