Jeff Gordon receives Heisman Humanitarian Award

Long Pond, PA, United States (4E Sports) – Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon has been bestowed the Heisman Humanitarian Award in recognition of his charity work in the United States and Rwanda.

The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation has raised more than $11 million for childhood cancer initiatives. Gordon established the foundation in 1992 after his crew chief Ray Evernham’s son was diagnosed with leukemia.

“Like the Heisman Trophy itself, Jeff Gordon has created a legacy of excellence both on the field of competition and for the greater good of society,” said Heisman Trust spokesman Jim Corcoran.

“The Trust’s decision to honor Jeff was very easy. Jeff and his foundation’s tireless efforts to fund pediatric medical research, programs that improve patients’ quality of life and treatment programs that increase survivorship will undoubtedly bring us closer to a cure for cancer,” Corcoran said.

Gordon said he was blessed to be given a chance to give back to the community through his foundation, which will receive $50,000 from Heisman Trust.

“These trophies are nice, but they tarnish. But when you save a child’s life and you have something as meaningful as this award, those are things that stick with you a lifetime,” Gordon said.

“You always want your efforts to be recognized. This is a very, very proud moment for that. It doesn’t get any better than being recognized by excellence, which is what the Heisman is all about,” added Gordon, whose Sprint Cup Chevrolet is sponsored by AARP’s Drive to End Hunger.

The Drive to End Hunger is a program that has donated more than 12.9 million meals for people over the age of 50.

Gordon said he will give more time to the foundation once his racing career is over. “I do look forward to that day when I really feel like I’ll be able to dedicate myself that way and put a lot more time into philanthropy,” he said.

Gordon is the first recipient of the award from motorsports. Previous honorees have included NFL stars Warrick Dunn, Marty Lyons and George Martin, soccer standout Mia Hamm, NHL Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine and Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek.

Gordon will be formally recognized at the 78th annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Dinner in New York on Dec. 10.

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