Calgary's Giordano, 49ers, USTA win humanitarian awards

LOS ANGELES — Mark Giordano of the Calgary Flames, the San Francisco 49ers and the U.S. Tennis Association were among the winners at the Sports Humanitarian Awards.

Giordano won the newly named Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, the 49ers won the team award and the USTA won the League Leadership Award at the third annual ceremony Tuesday night in downtown Los Angeles. Ali's daughter, Laila, co-hosted the event with ESPN's Mike Greenberg.

Flames' captain Giordano was honoured as an athlete who demonstrates integrity and bravery while creating a positive impact on his community. His Team Giordano program helps 1,900 students with physical fitness, academics and positive behaviour.

The 49ers won for two initiatives: one involving helping junior high and high school students who show promise in science, technology, engineering and math, and another directed at kindergarten through eighth graders in the same subject matter.

The USTA was honoured with the league award for providing over 300,000 underprivileged children with free or low-cost tennis lessons.

Dick's Sporting Goods won the Corporate Community Impact Award for its support of youth sports nationwide.

Each of the winners received a $100,000 grant from ESPN to give to a charity focused on humanitarian efforts.

Over $1.1 million was raised through the awards, which will benefit the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation, named for the late ESPN "SportsCenter" host.

Stephanie McMahon of WWE, the Orlando City soccer club and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality each received ENSPIRE Awards named for Scott that honour individuals who use innovative approaches to help the disadvantaged through sports.

Highlights of the show will air July 25 on ESPN.

The Associated Press