The Fifth Annual Sports Humanitarian Awards was held this July 9th in Los Angeles. Many well-known athletes and celebrities came together to celebrate athletes and sports leagues who have made a positive impact on communities and the world. In recent years, the event awarded Kevin Durant as well as the U.S. Women's National Ice Hockey Team and the WWE and this year several different individuals, leagues, and corporations took home awards of their own.
Each year, the sports humanitarian awards recognize and awards individuals, sports league and corporations that have contributed to making a positive impact on society. For the award’s fifth year, many of the world’s most popular athletes gathered together for the occasion. Among the list of attendees was Laila Ali, the former professional boxer, tennis player Billie Jean King, Myles Garett, Caron Butler, Seth Rollins, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro, singer Ciara, the actor Ian Somerhalder and many more. This is undeniably one of the greatest nights for sports, for which they are not only celebrating individuals who are great athletes but also those who have made a difference in society.
This year's awards were held by the Singer-Songwriter Ciara with a performance given by singer Andy Grammer to welcome in the ceremony. The ceremony went on to awards taekwondo champion Lina Khalifeh, Adidas was awarded for the Sports Sustainability Leadership award, with Under Armour being awarded for the Corporate Community Impact Award. Harrison Barnes, Matthew Diaz, Lisa Parks, and Yasmine Sanchez also took home awards for the Billie Jen King Youth Leadership Award. Possibly the most discussed award of the night was the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, given to retired NFL Player Chris Long. The footballer player was chosen due to his commitment to giving back through strategic, and multifaceted efforts and donating his entire year’s salary to charity in 2017. Another widely praised award was given to the National Hockey League for the League Humanitarian Leadership Award, and the Chicago Fire Soccer Club for the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year. The late superfan and cancer activist Tyler Trent was also awarded.
Each year, proceeds are donated from the awards to charities. Since the beginning, $7.5 million has been donated on behalf of the awards in total. Congratulations to the winners!