Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award

CRITERIA: The Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a concern for mankind. This individual should exhibit the qualities of dedication, grace under pressure, personal sacrifice, compassion, hope, and dignity that characterize the promotion of human welfare and social reform.

Jack Roosevelt Robinson broke the baseball color barrier by displaying his skills, while at the same time subjugating his pride, to prove an awareness of our failings as well as his abilities. Had he lacked the discipline, not to mention the dedication, America and sport would be spiritually and athletically poorer.

Previous Recipients

2019
Award not conferred
2018
Award not conferred
2017
Justin James “J.J.” Watt – National Football League Player and Leader of Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
2016
Mel Young – President, Homeless World Cup
2015
Jean Claude Mbvoumin – President and Founder, Football Solidaire
2014
Cristiano Ronaldo – Promoter of Human Welfare Through Philanthropic and Altruistic Efforts
2013
R.A. Dickey, Bombay Teen Challenge Supporter, Toronto Blue Jays Knuckleball Pitcher
2012
Jeremy Bloom, Founder of Wish of a Lifetime Foundation and Olympic Skier
2011
Al Buehler – Track and Field Coach Emeritus, Duke University
2010
Albert Pujols – Founder, Pujols Family Foundation
2009
Tim Tebow – University of Florida quarterback; Visits prisons, overseas missionary work
2008
LaDainian Tomlinson – NFL player; Founder Tomlinson’s Touching Lives
2007
Tiger Woods – Golfer; Founder Tiger Woods Learning Center
2006
Dikembe Mutombo – NBA player; Founder Dikembe Mutombo Foundation
2005
Andre Agassi – Tennis player; Founder Andre Agassi Foundation
2004
Pat Tillman – NFL player, killed in action while serving in Afghanistan
2003
Doug Flutie – NFL QB; Founder, Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation for Autism
2002
Boomer Esiason – Supports finding cure for Cystic Fibrosis through charity
2001
Michael Jordan – NBA superstar with Chicago Bulls
George Papandreou – Foreign minister, Greece
2000
Sergei Federov – NHL player/Founder of Sergei Federov Foundation
1999
Andrea Jaeger – Ex-tennis player/Founder of Kid’s Stuff Foundation
1998
Sammy Sosa – Baseball player/Founder of the Sammy Sosa Foundation
1997
Mark McGwire – Baseball player/Founder of the McGwire Foundation
1996
Hakeem Olajuwon – Rockets star, founder of The Dream Foundation
1995
Reggie White – All-Pro defensive end, Green Bay Packers
1994
Johann Olav Koss – Olympic speedskater/UNICEF Sports Ambassador
1993
Billy Mills – Ex-Olympian/Assists Native Americans
1992
Walter Payton – Hall of Fame running back/founder of Payton Foundatione
1991
Sam Wyche – Buccaneers coach/helps with homeless
1990
Chi Chi Rodriguez – Golfer/philanthropist
1989
Bill Cosby – Entertainer/philanthropists
1988
Reggie Williams – Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker
1987
Rafer Johnson – Ex-Olympic gold medalist, President, California Special Olympics
1986
Joe Morgan – MLB Hall of Famer; President, Joe Morgan Youth Foundation