John Cena will be receiving Sports Illustrated’s Muhammad Ali Legacy award.
From WWE to acting, philanthropy and more, Cena is making a mark in every arena. But because of his outstanding work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and his contributions to philanthropy he will be rewarded with the legacy award. Cena has granted 600 wishes for children with life-threatening illness, which surpasses anyone who has collaborated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The SI created the Legacy Award back in 2008 and renamed it after Ali in 2015 to highlight Ali’s career as a boxer and dedicated civil rights activist. Cena will join Jim Brown, Magic Johnson and Colin Kaepernick who have also received the award. Sports Illustrated Executive Editor Stephen Cannella says Cena may be the most charitable person in sports.
“From his unparalleled work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to his support for a wide range of causes ranging from activism for military families to cancer research, John has made personal outreach and generosity of time and spirit his calling cards,” said Sports Illustrated Executive Editor Stephen Cannella. “He might just be the most charitable person in sports, and his dedication to philanthropy richly reflects the spirit of the Ali Legacy Award.”
The 16-time WWE champion expressed his appreciation for the reward. “I am truly thrilled to receive Sports Illustrated’s Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. Ali’s commitment to helping others, his dedication to the sport and his generous spirit are incomparable, and he was a role model to us all. To be linked with him in any way is an honor that means so much to me.”
The award ceremony will take place on December 11 at the Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles.
