An iconic group of Sports Legends, Hall of Famers, Gold Medalists, World Champions, and honorees were recognized by The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, at its 32nd Annual Great Sports Legends Dinner presented by Tudor Group on Monday, September 25 at The New York Hilton Midtown Hotel. Scroll down for photos of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Simone Biles, David Ortiz, Alonzo Mourning, Jason Taylor and Abby Wambach!
The premier event, hosted by NFL Hall of Famer Nick Buoniconti and his son Marc, honored legendary designated hitter and first baseman for the Boston Red Sox David "Big Papi" Ortiz, four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Simone Biles, NBA Hall of Famer and former Miami Heat forward Alonzo Mourning, Hall of Fame defensive end and linebacker for the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets Jason Taylor, four-time IndyCar Racing Champion Scott Dixon, six-time tennis Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters, and FIFA Women's World Cup Champion and two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Abby Wambach.
Special tribute was also paid to NASCAR chairman and CEO Brian France and Amy France, who received The Outstanding Philanthropists Award; television personality and victim rights activist John Walsh, who received The Inspiration Award; renowned Brazilian artist and activist Romero Britto, who received The Humanitarian Award; and former Miami Dolphin and longtime Buoniconti Fund champion Dick Anderson, who received The Buoniconti Fund Award.
This year's event also served as a launch for the publication of Undefeated: From Tragedy to Triumph (Post Hill Press, Sept. 2017), a candid, compelling and inspiring memoir by Marc Buoniconti recounting his days as an admittedly reckless youth and teen to the day his world changed after a paralyzing football injury while in college and how he has dedicated his life since to helping others, and to finding a cure for paralysis.
NBC Sports personality Bob Costas served as emcee for the event, which annually attracts a veritable "Who's Who" of more than 1,500 sports legends, celebrities, philanthropists, corporate leaders and other influential New Yorkers. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Chicago will perform live at the event.
The event, which is chaired by Mark Dalton, benefits The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. The Miami Project, a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami's Miller School of Medicine, is the world's most comprehensive spinal cord injury research center. Since its inception in 1985, the Great Sports Legends Dinner has honored more than 300 sports legends and honorees and has helped The Buoniconti Fund raise more than $350 million for The Miami Project's spinal cord injury research programs. The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, through the research efforts of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, is committed to finding a cure for paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury and to seeing millions worldwide walk again.
For more information about The Buoniconti Fund, visit www.thebuonicontifund.com.
Photos by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis
Gloria Estefan and Emilio Estefan
GSLD Honoree Simone Biles
GSLD Honoree Jason Taylor
GSLD Honoree David Ortiz
GSLD Honoree Alonzo Mourning
GSLD Honoree Abby Wambach
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