Heisman Trophy honor for Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon along with Heisman winners George Rogers and Tim Brown with Heisman Trophy Trustee Jim Corcoran (Getty)
LONG POND, Pa. – Jeff Gordon has been selected as the seventh recipient of The Heisman Humanitarian Award. The award will be formally presented to the four-time Cup Series champion at the 78th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Dinner on Dec. 10 in New York.
Heisman Trophy trustee Jim Corcoran made the announcement at Pocono Raceway accompanied by Heisman Trophy winners George Rogers and Tim Brown.
Gordon established his foundation after then-crew chief Ray Evernham's son was diagnosed with leukemia in 1992. The Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation helps children facing critical illness realize their dreams. As it has grown, it has raised more than $11 million for children's charities through the years.
The Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation's mission is to support children battling cancer by funding programs that improve patient's quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure. Gordon also opened the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital in Concord, N.C., in hopes that it will serve as a model to other communities who want to provide the highest quality of care to all children, regardless of their ability to pay.
"NASCAR fans know Jeff Gordon as one of the greatest drivers in the history of stock-car racing, but to a multitude of children and families facing pediatric cancer, he is something far greater: an ally in their battle to live. Jeff's selfless actions through the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation exemplify all the attributes we look for in a Heisman Humanitarian honoree," said William J. Dockery, Heisman Trophy Trust president. "The
Heisman Trophy Trust is honored to have Jeff become the newest Heisman Humanitarian and join a stellar group of athletes that are truly making a difference in the world."
As part of the award, The Heisman Trophy Trust will donate $50,000 to the Jeff Gordon Children's Foundation.
