Kids’ Choice Sports Awards: Derek Jeter to Be Honored With Legend Award
Former New York Yankees star Derek Jeter is following in David Beckham’s footsteps.
The retired baseball pro is set to receive the Legend Award at the 2015 Kids’ Choice Sports Awards “in recognition of his unmatched talent, integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field.”
The Legend Award honors athletes “who are the ultimate role models to kids across the globe, inspiring generations year after year,” according to Nickelodeon. Beckham was presented with inaugural award last year — and was promptly doused in golden slime with two of his sons.
Jeter said he is “honored” at being given the recognition.
“Inspiring kids to follow their dreams and live a healthy lifestyle is so important to me, so I want to take this opportunity to tell all aspiring athletes out there to work hard, love what you do, put your best foot forward and never forget the kid in you,” he said.
Jeter is a five-time World Series Champion who spent 20 years with the Yankees. He joined baseball’s exclusive 3,000-hit club on July 9, 2011, and has received numerous awards, including World Series MVP in 2000.
In 2012, Siena College recognized Jeter with a Doctor of Humane Letters degree for his leadership, accomplishments on the baseball field and dedication to improving the lives of young people through the Turn 2 Foundation. Jeter continues to be the driving force behind the foundation, which he established in 1996 to give back to the communities with which he has a close connection, including West Michigan, Tampa, and New York City. The Turn 2 Foundation has awarded more than $20 million in grants to create and support signature programs that motivate young people to turn away from drugs and alcohol and “Turn 2” healthy lifestyles.
Most recently, Jeter announced The Players’ Tribune, an innovative multimedia digital company where world-class athletes share their honest and unique perspectives, bringing fans closer to the games they love. In November 2013, Jeter and Simon & Schuster announced the Jeter Publishing imprint. Jeter also serves as partner and brand development officer of Luvo, a transformational lifestyle food brand where he is involved in product development, brand awareness and strategic partnerships.
The Seattle Seahawks’ two-time Super Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson is set to host the Kids’ Choice Sports Awards. Winners are voted on by kids and receive an orange mohawked blimp trophy. The show airs live at 8 p.m. ET (tape-delayed on the West Coast) on Thursday, July 16, from the Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
The Kids’ Choice Sports show is produced by Done + Dusted in association with Nickelodeon Productions.Jay Schmalholz and Shelly Sumpter Gillyard are executive producers. Constance Schwartz and Michael Strahan of SMAC Entertainment will serve as executive producers alongside Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton of Done + Dusted, with Hamilton also serving as director.