Nicklaus to be honored with SI’s Muhammad Ali Legacy Award
On the course, he won 18 major championships and 73 tour victories. Off the course, he continues to be honored as one of the sports world’s all-time greats.
Columbus-native Jack Nicklaus has been named the winner of the Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.
Sports Illustrated says that the award honors athletes and sports figures that have embodied the ideals of sportsmanship, leadership and philanthropy as vehicles for changing the world over their lifetime. It has been presented to just two other individuals…to Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver in 2008 and to NBA great Magic Johnson in 2014.
To be the first recipient of the Ali Legacy Award is both humbling and an honor.
– Jack Nicklaus
The award was renamed in the boxing legend’s honor earlier this year.
It gives me great pleasure to know the first Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award will be given to one of sports’ biggest living legends, Jack Nicklaus. Jack’s passion for excellence on the golf course is only surpassed by his love and passion for children and their well being. For decades, he has used his celebrity to bring awareness and support for children’s health. I can not think of a more deserving person for this special inaugural award than the Golden Bear, himself.
– Muhammad Ali
The award will be presented to Nicklaus at a ceremony in New York next month. (jj)
(image credit: Sports Illustrated)
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
