The Heisman Trust’s mission is to preserve the integrity of the Heisman Trophy and to provide opportunities for underserved youth and other members of our society. Since the Trust assumed stewardship of the Heisman Trophy in 2001 it has made donations in excess of four million dollars to over 200 charities throughout the country, affecting countless children. The Heisman Humanitarian Award was established in 2006 to recognize those in the world of sports who give significantly of themselves to serve their communities and to improve the lives of others.
Gordon has established himself as one of the most recognizable drivers in the world as a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion; a three-time winner of the Daytona 500 and a four-time winner of the Brickyard 400. The leukemia diagnosis of Gordon’s crew chief’s (Ray Evernham) son in 1992 inspired Gordon to establish his foundation in hopes of helping children facing critical illness to realize their dreams. The Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation began as a small mission for one child, but has grown into an organization that has raised more than 11 million dollars for children’s charities over 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 went on to open the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord, North Carolina, in hopes that it will serve as a model to other communities who want to provide the highest quality of care to all their children, regardless of their ability to pay.
As part of the award, The Heisman Trophy Trust will donate $50,000 to the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation.
Gordon’s primary sponsor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the AARP Foundation’s "Drive to End Hunger" – an initiative that seeks to eradicate hunger for nine million people 50+. To date, the program has donated more than 12.9 million meals and driven donor commitments with an expected value of $16.9 million.
Gordon joins an exemplary group of former Heisman Humanitarian winners that includes, Joey Cheek, Olympic speed skating gold medalist, for his dedication and contributions 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, helped to build interactive playrooms in Children’s hospitals to keep young patients connected to family and friends; Mia Hamm, world-renowned soccer player; who raises funds and awareness for families needing marrow or cord blood transplants and continuing the growth in 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; and Marty Lyons, University of Alabama and New York Jets defensive tackle, whose foundation fulfills the special wishes of children with terminal or life threatening illness.
-NASCAR Press Release
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