Top honors were given at the National Building Museum to the most notable talents in the Washington D.C. area on Tuesday, Sept. 15 at the 6th Annual SneakerBall.
The awards ceremony is annually organized by the Greater Washington Sports Alliance as a way to salute worthy local sports icons, and raise money for charities through raffles and auctions of sports memorabilia and other items over $1,000 in value.
For the first time in SneakerBall's history, sports fan were able to choose the winners in the categories, honoring excellence in athletic performance, franchise leadership, community support and media coverage. Local sports legends, broadcasters and political figures chose the nominees in the selected categories.
Amongst the individuals in attendance included Washington D.C.'s Mayor Adrian Fenty, Washington Capitals captain Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Wizards star Caron Butler and journalist Kevin Blackistone.
Ovechkin was on of the honorees, receiving the D.C. Sportsperson of the Year award. Since 2006, Ovechkin has worked with Right to Play, an international humanitarian organization that uses sports and play programs to improve communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. In addition to working with Right to Play, Ovechkin is active in many other charitable organizations that help disadvantaged and mentally challenged youth.
Fans were able to vote online from July 15 to Sept. 4 on the Greater Washington Sports Alliance website in several categories.
Eunice Shriver was posthumously honored with an induction into the Greater Washington Sports Hall of Champions for her work in improving conditions for people with intellectual disabilities. Shriver established the Special Olympics in 1968, which has become one of the world's largest year-round sporting events, with over 2.5 million athletes in 180 countries participating in competitions annually.
Shriver, who died in August at the age of 88, became the first Hall of Champion honoree to be inducted posthumously.
"We are pleased to honor the legacy of this extraordinary human being," said Robert Sweeney, president of the Greater Washington Sports Alliance.
"Mrs. Shriver forever improved the lives of millions by leading a human rights movement to bring dignity, respect, opportunity and hope to people with intellectual disabilities throughout the world. I can think of no better person to receive this honor."
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