Mark Teixeira Selected as 2018 Heisman Humanitarian
Teixeira to be honored at the 84thAnnual Heisman Trophy Gala on December 9th in recognition of his many years of philanthropic work.
The Heisman Trophy Trust announced today that former Major League Baseball All-Star Mark Teixeira will be awarded the 13th Annual Heisman Humanitarian Award by the Heisman Trophy Trust in recognition of his many years of giving back within the community.
“The Heisman Trophy Trust is pleased to recognize Mark Teixeira with the 2018 Heisman Humanitarian Award for his many years of charitable work. Teixeira’s example of working to advance the lives and communities of those less fortunate is quite admirable,” stated Rob Whalen, Executive Director of the Heisman Trophy Trust. “We hope that in recognizing Mark, others may choose to follow his example.”
The Heisman Trust honors the most outstanding college football player each year with the Heisman Memorial Trophy. The Trust has a mission to support amateur athletics and provide greater opportunities to the youth of our country. The Heisman Humanitarian Award was created as an extension to the Heisman Trophy’s greater outreach to athletes who are providing opportunities to those less fortunate.
Teixeira, 38, is just a few years removed from an outstanding baseball career. The three-time All-Star and 2009 World Series champion played 14 seasons with the Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees. He finished his career with 409 home runs and finished second in the 2009 MVP race after leading the American League with 43 home runs and 144 runs batted in. An outstanding switch hitter, he holds the major league record for most games (14) with home runs from both sides of the plate. In addition to his hitting prowess, he was also a five-time Gold Glove winner as a first baseman.
Teixeira has been a relentless supporter within the community. Mark is actively involved in community support programs in a number of cities. He is committed to education and established scholarship endowments at his alma maters of Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore and The Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. He has also been an active supporter for many local organizations throughout the years, specifically the Emerald Corridor Foundation and DREAM (formerly Harlem RBI). Teixeira is a board member for The Emerald Corridor Foundation which works to build and restore safe greenspaces and waterways that support community health and recreation in Northwest Atlanta. The organization helps strengthen the community via education, job training and employment opportunities. From Teixeira’s days with the Yankees he has been a stalwart supporter of DREAM, a local New York nonprofit, that has been supported by the Heisman Trophy Trust. DREAM is a youth development organization that uses the power of teams to inspire inner-city youth to recognize their potential and realize their dreams through its school, after-school and summer programs.
“I’m humbled and grateful to be the recipient of this year’s Heisman Humanitarian award, especially when I look at the past winners,” stated Teixeira. “My passion is for education and youth and it’s a great honor to play a small part in the communities that are important to me like Baltimore, Atlanta, and, of course, New York City. I hope this award shines a light on the important work happening in our communities and allows us to expand efforts for many more years to come.”
Teixeira joins the company of 12 other extraordinary Heisman Humanitarians including: Joey Cheek, Olympic speed skating gold mdalist, for his dedication and service to the children of Darfur; George Martin, former defensive end of the New York Giants, who walked across America to raise funds for rescue and recovery workers at Ground Zero after 9/11; Pat LaFontaine, former NHL star who, through his Companions in Courage Foundation, builds interactive playrooms in children’s hospitals to keep young patients connected to their families and friends; Mia Hamm, world-renowned soccer player, who raises funds and awareness for families needing bone marrow or cord blood transplants and continues to build opportunities for young women in sports; Warrick Dunn, former NFL running back, who has provided homes for single parent families to honor his mother’s memory; Marty Lyons, University of Alabama and New York Jet defensive tackle, whose foundation fulfills special wishes of children with terminal or life threatening illness; Jeff Gordon, four time NASCAR Cup Series champion and founder of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, which supports children battling cancer; David Robinson, former San Antonio Spurs center, who has dedicated himself to helping children and families in need in the San Antonio community; Joe Torre, legendary baseball player/manager who created the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation that works to end the cycle of domestic violence; Boomer Esiason, All-Pro Quarterback whose Boomer Esiason Foundation fights cystic fibrosis; Alan Page who assists students of color to achieve their dreams in furthering their education; and Ernie Els, whose foundation provides hope and support for people with autism.
The Heisman Trophy Trust is delighted to welcome Mark Teixeira into the Heisman family as the 2018 Heisman Humanitarian Winner. Teixeira will receive his award, along with a Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($75,000.00) donation to DREAM at the 84th Annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Gala on Sunday, December 9th, in New York City. Tickets to the dinner gala are available to the public online via THIS LINK.
