TEXAS — This year’s ESPYS has some Texas representation for its ninth annual Sports Humanitarian Awards. It’s a celebration to highlight athletes who’ve made great community impact. The San Antonio Spurs are finalists for the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award, and nominee for Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian is Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
July 12 on ABC, the ESPYS will air at 7 p.m. CT.
The Spurs are up for nomination for the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award because of the work they’ve done in Uvalde, Texas, after the mass shooting at Robb Elementary on May 24, 2022. The team has been with the community every step of the way as they’ve recovered. Whether through investing funds or physically showing up for youth, the Spurs have used sports to render emotional support and give the community some sense of joy during a time that’s been tough for so many.
The Sport for Healing Fund gave families an outlet for their trauma through sports. Although the Spurs gave life to the fund, the Texas professional sports community, the NBA and individual donors partnered up with the team to help with the effort. Uvalde High School got some special visitors last October when the Spurs held their annual Open Practice, putting on basketball clinics and a community fair. Other community investments from the Spurs include an elementary school playground and the Center for Comfort and Consults.
“The Spurs staff has volunteered more than 700 hours in Uvalde to date, distributed more than 1,500 free tickets, donated sports equipment to youth basketball teams and have raised more than $1M in funds committed to uplifting and supporting the community for many years to come,” according to ESPN.
As an advocate for marginalized communities, Austin FC fan-favorite Brad Stuver has a reputation for using his platform to amplify their issues. He’s dedicated time and resources to underserved communities in Central Texas.
Stuver serves to support the LGBTQ community as a foundation board of trustees member for Equality Texas and an ambassador for Athlete Ally. Through his work with Current Initiatives’ The Laundry Project, he’s able to assist low-income families with free laundry services and other materials. The clothing drives he’s led have been in partnership with Austin FC and it has received much local support.
“Sports can be a driver of significant change, healing and advancement in communities across the globe — but it takes teamwork and collaboration to create a true impact,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “Through the Sports Humanitarian Awards, we’re proud to recognize those change-makers who are using the collective power of sports to make a difference and there’s no bigger stage to do that than the ESPYS.”
All nominees and honorees/finalists are below:
- Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award Honoree: Dr. Richard Lapchick
- Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award finalists: Jamal Hill (Paralympic Swimmer and UN Ambassador), Jrue Holiday (Milwaukee Bucks) and Lauren Holiday (retired U.S. Women’s National Team), and Brad Stuver (Austin FC)
- Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year finalists: Connecticut Sun, Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, San Antonio Spurs
- Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award: Jordan Adeyemi, Ashley Badis, Rishan Patel