Fox Nation Unveils First Patriot Awards

Fox News rolled out the red, white and blue carpet in Tampa Bay on Wednesday night.

The Tampa Bay Times reports the hosts of “Fox & Friends,” conservative commentator Tomi Lahren and “Duck Dynasty’s” Si Robertson, who strode by in a sparkly dinner jacket and snakeskin boots, were among those who paraded along the tri-colored carpet en route to the inaugural Fox Nation Patriot Awards at the Mahaffey Theater, in St. Petersburg, FL.

The awards ceremony, streamed live for Fox Nation subscribers, was created by the Fox News spinoff to honor “everyday American heroes” in categories like the “Patriot Award for Service to Veterans,” “Most Patriotic Sportsman” and the “Ultimate Patriot Award.” It will air on Fox News later this month as a primetime special.

Among those honored was Rob Jones, a Marine who lost both legs in Afghanistan. He later ran marathons to raise money for wounded warriors, earning him the MVP, or “Most Valuable Patriot” award. Tampa police Lt. Travis Maus, who was recently promoted by the department while deployed in Iraq as an Army helicopter pilot, received the “Patriot Award for First Responders.” His wife and three daughters accepted on his behalf, as 50 of his Tampa Police Department colleagues watched from the audience.

Ainsley Earhardt signs autograph

Also receiving awards was Mission BBQ a military-themed restaurant chain which plays the National Anthem each day at noon and has a veteran hiring program, Connecticut minor league hockey coach John Krupinsky, who went viral for a pregame speech telling players they could “get the f--k out” if they kneeled during the American or Canadian national anthems, and Virginia teenager Charlie Hecht, who encouraged every home in his neighborhood to fly the American flag.

"We’re here to honor our patriots. It’s not like Hollywood, where they’re making millions of dollars and they’re all recognizing each other,” said “Fox & Friends” host Ainsley Earhardt, referring to award shows like the Golden Globes. “This is a chance for us to recognize people who do a lot for our country and do a lot for other people and don’t normally have the opportunity to be recognized.”

“If you’re a Fox News fan, tonight is gonna be like Disneyland for you,” said Patriot Awards emcee Pete Hegseth, a Fox News contributor and Army veteran, to the audience.