Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford was named the 2012 Sports Person of the Year by the Atlanta Sports Council today.
In his fifth year with the Hawks, Horford, a two-time NBA All-Star, will receive the award at the Atlanta Sports Awards banquet on Monday at the Fox Theatre.
The award is given annually to a person who has made a positive impact in sports and their community. Horford has twice received the NBA Community Assist Award, as well as the Jason Collier Memorial Trophy from his team, for his work helping others. Those activities include feeding the homeless at City of Refuge, the NBA Cares Day of Service in 2011, his work with the University of Florida Alumni's philanthropic efforts, assisting earthquake relief efforts in Japan, hosting summer basketball camps and visiting children and their families at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. He has judged essay contests to assist the NBA's Read to Achieve program and worked with anti-bullying campaigns.
“Playing for the Atlanta Hawks is an honor and has afforded me the opportunity to make an impact on organizations and causes in the Atlanta community that I am extremely passionate about,” Horford said in a statement. “I am committed to these efforts and the individuals that they serve, and I thank the Atlanta Sports Council for recognizing my involvement and dedication.”
Person of the Year is one of several awards the Atlanta Sports Council will bestow on Monday. Other categories include: Coach of the Year, College Athlete of the Year, Female and Male High School Scholar Athletes of the Year, High School Athlete of the Year, Professional Athlete of the Year, and Team of the Year.
“Al Horford is an example of true dedication to the community,” Dan Corso, Atlanta Sports Council executive director, said in a statement. “He has taken his achievements in the NBA and with the Atlanta Hawks and used them as a platform for community and charity work. It is an honor to present him with this prestigious award.”
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