LONG POND, Pa. — Jeff Gordon is the seventh recipient of the Heisman Humanitarian Award, Heisman Trophy trustee Jim Corcoran announced Friday during a press conference that included Gordon and former Heisman Trophy winners George Rogers (1980, South Carolina) and Tim Brown (1987, Notre Dame).
Gordon is the first NASCAR driver to receive the award, which recognizes extraordinary achievement in charitable and humanitarian activities. The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation has raised more then $11 million for children’s causes.
Gordon joins Olympic Gold Medal speedskater Joey Cheek (2006), former New York Giants defensive end George Martin (2007), hockey great Pat LaFontaine (2008), women’s soccer star Mia Hamm (2009), former Tampa Bay running back Warrick Dunn (2010), and former New York Jets defensive lineman Marty Lyons (2011) in receiving the award.
“Now that you’re in the fraternity, we’ll have to teach you the secret handshake,” Brown told Gordon after the announcement.
“I feel so privileged to be a part of this sport, and I think a lot you probably had the same question — Heisman, NASCAR, where’s the tie?” said Gordon, who will receive the award in a formal presentation Dec. 10 at the 78th annual Heisman Memorial Trophy Dinner at the New York Marriott Marquis.
“But when you look at the humanitarian award and who the recipients have been, it comes from all walks of life and sports. So to be a part of this list is something that I never expected, and certainly that I’m very honored by.”
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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