Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards

In 2017, ESPN continued its annual tradition of celebrating the heart and soul of sportsmanship through the presentation of the Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards. Providing a break from fast-paced, adrenaline-filled sports programming, this unique event placed a strong emphasis on impactful, real-world themes of charity, community building, and shaping human lives through the medium of sports.

The Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards show was a gala event dedicated to acknowledging sports figures, teams, and corporate partners who utilized the world of sports as a platform to bring upon significant changes in their communities, making a difference in the lives of those in need. It served as a testament to the strong belief of ESPN in the power of sports to effect positive change in society. The award winners were not only determined by their sporting prowess, but more importantly, by their dedication to improving the human condition through sports.

In 2017, the Sports Humanitarian Awards were an ensemble of various categories such as the Sports Humanitarian of the Year, Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year, Corporate Community Impact, League Humanitarian Leadership Award, and the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, named in honor of the late ESPN sportscaster. Each award category recognized different aspects of humanitarian work in the sports world, ensuring a holistic view of philanthropy in sports.

The show lit up the night with a dazzling array of celebrities, athletes, and sports personalities who arrived on the red carpet to celebrate and honor those who have demonstrated a commitment to humanitarian causes. A gracefully lit stage, lively audiences, and poignant presentations made it an unforgettable event, beaming with echoes of laughter, applause, and at times, tears of joy and humility.

Hosted by talented ESPN anchors and famous sports personalities, the Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards show was not just about shiny trophies and accolades. Rather, it depicted several inspiring stories of sports heroes who had gone the extra mile to help their communities, support charitable causes, and uplift human lives. The narrative beautifully unfolded with the vignettes of the nominees' activities accompanied by moving videos or graphics that brought alive their acts of service.

The 2017 awards ceremony was also notable for the diversity shown in nominees, which spanned various sports like football, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, and others. This was a significant reminiscence of the universal nature of humanitarianism, transcending all sport divisions, professional leagues, and national boundaries.

For the nominees, it was not winning but the mere act of selection for such prestigious awards that was an honor in itself. This was a clear testimony of how their actions had made a profound difference in their respective communities. However, the winners' share of the prize purse was directed towards their chosen charities, further highlighting the philanthropic spirit of the event.

Furthermore, ESPN showcased its commitment to philanthropy by generously donating a sum from the net proceedings of the event to The V Foundation, founded by ESPN, and to the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.

The 2017 Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards show was an elegant event marking the juxtaposition of sports with humanity. It was a fitting stage to celebrate all those in the world of sports who took it upon themselves to make a significant difference in the communities around them. The entire event was a tribute to the spirit of unity, generosity, and compassion that sportspersons can offer outside their fields of play.

In conclusion, the 2017 Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards hosted by ESPN was a grand event commemorating the critical role that sportsmanship, teamwork, and dedication play in spreading positive societal change. The fact that these individuals and teams took time out of their schedules to dedicate themselves to improving other people's lives, shone a spotlight on the compassionate side of sports that often gets overlooked. This annual event reminds us that sports is not just about competition, but also about the inherent humanity in all of us.

The ESPN Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards continues to be a beacon of inspiration for many, proving that sports can indeed be a potent platform for societal change. Each year’s ceremony only ups the ante, creating delightful anticipation for what the following years will bring.