Sports Illustrated to Present Earvin "Magic" Johnson the Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award

Basketball Legend, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Inspiration to millions joins Eunice Kennedy Shriver to Receive this Tribute

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Sports Illustrated

Dec 04, 2014, 04:30 ET

NEW YORK, Dec. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sports Illustrated today, announced that Earvin (Magic) Johnson Jr. has been chosen to receive the organization's Sportsman of the Year Legacy Award. The Legacy Award honors a lifetime of achievement in using athletics, directly or indirectly, as a vehicle to change the world. In 2008, the inaugural Legacy Award was presented to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of and driving force behind the Special Olympics. In 2014, SI is honored to make its second presentation of the Legacy Award to Earvin (Magic) Johnson, for his two decades as an entrepreneur, philanthropist and social and political activist.

The presentation will take place during SI's annual Sportsman of the Year celebration on Tuesday, December 9 in New York City. During this evening, SI will also tribute the 2014 Sportsman of the Year who will be announced on December 8 and SI Kids' SportsKid of the Year Mo'Ne Davis as well as other transcendent individuals from the 2014 year in sports.

"SI is proud to make its second presentation of the Legacy Award to Earvin (Magic) Johnson, for his two decades as entrepreneur, philanthropist and social and political activist," said Paul Fichtenbaum, Time Inc. Sports Group Editor.

"It is an honor to receive this award from Sports Illustrated. I grew up reading the magazine which also gave me my first national exposure in its Faces in the Crowd feature. Now, 37 years later, to be recognized by SI with a tribute that has only been given to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, a woman who has made the world a better place for millions with intellectual disabilities, is very special and humbling," said Earvin Johnson Jr.

Since retiring from the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996, Johnson has been the living embodiment of the ideals behind the Legacy Award. His determination to build investment and development in urban and low-income communities is both driving force and underlying purpose behind Magic Johnson Enterprises, the highly successful umbrella through which he oversees business interests that range from real estate to a chain of movie theaters to a television network to sports franchise ownership and beyond. During this time, few American business figures have worked as tirelessly to create economic opportunities for minorities, and through the Magic Johnson Foundation he has raised millions for charities that support educational and social programs aimed primarily at helping low-income students and communities. Johnson had also been a pivotal figure in the fight against HIV and AIDS, both as a high-profile patient who has waged a successful battle against the disease and as an activist who has raised funds and awareness to support the search for a cure and the care of those currently living with HIV/AIDS.

Johnson's calling card during his playing career was his ability to make the players around him better, to create opportunity for others as well as himself—he is still the NBA's all-time leader in assists per game. In retirement he has extended that ethos to his business and charitable pursuits, becoming not just an advocate for those less fortunate than himself, but also an ally who makes their successes in economic development his own. When he retired from the NBA, Johnson's ubiquitous smile was a beacon to basketball fans the world over. It now represents much more: A life dedicated to creating opportunity for others as well as himself. Few athletes have done more with the stardom they gained between the lines of competition.

"Like my mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Magic Johnson saw that sport could change the world in profound ways that transcend traditional methods. Sport is a catalyst for change and provides a unique platform to change hearts and minds. When my mother founded Special Olympics, she envisioned a world where people of all abilities could be accepted – a world where no one would suffer stigma and marginalization. My mother chose to channel her energies into creating a better world for people with intellectual disabilities. Magic likewise bravely chose to turn personal adversity into positive action, and for that I commend him, and I am proud to add my congratulations on this extraordinary recognition of Magic Johnson's achievements both on and off the court," said Timothy Shriver, Chairman, Special Olympics.

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SOURCE Sports Illustrated