BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin has been nominated for the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award for his leadership in turning a life-altering medical emergency into a national mission.
In 2023, Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on the field during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, his Chasing M’s Foundation raises awareness for cardiac safety and youth empowerment.
Other nominees include the likes of Steph Curry and Adam Thielen. The winner will be announced at the ESPY’s award ceremony on July 15.
The 12th annual Sports Humanitarian Awards will celebrate and honor athletes, teams, leagues and members of the sports industry who use the power of sport to make a positive impact on society. This year’s Sports Humanitarian Awards, hosted by SportsCenter studio anchor and analyst Christine Williamson, will take place on Tuesday, July 14, at Gotham Hall in Midtown Manhattan the evening before the ESPYS, as part of ESPYS Week. The Awards will be featured in ESPN studio programming and during The 2026 ESPYS, airing live on Wednesday, July 15, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on ABC and streaming on the ESPN App from the David H Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City.
“For over a decade, the Sports Humanitarian Awards have been a key pillar of ESPN’s commitment to the teams and people who use the power of sports to drive meaningful changes in the world,” said Kevin Martinez, Vice President, ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “We are honored to be back in New York City as part of ESPYS week and are eager to celebrate our peers who leverage the power of sports to highlight the importance of advocacy, education, and giving back to their communities.”
This year’s nominees and honorees include:
- Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award honoree: Laurie Tisch
- Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award honoree: Jeffrey Lurie
- Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award finalists: Adam Thielen, Damar Hamlin, Stephen Curry
- Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year finalists: Baltimore Ravens, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Browns, Seattle Storm
- Corporate Community Impact Award finalists: American Express, Colgate-Palmolive, Jersey Mike’s
- Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award honorees: Julia Howe, Kelis Armstrong, and Sam Phillips
Demonstrating an industry-wide commitment to philanthropy and public service, multiple sports leagues and governing bodies, along with sports brands, including NFL, NBA, WNBA, MLB, USTA, WWE/TKO, NHL, Fanatics, Under Armour and Salesforce joined as sponsors of the Sports Humanitarian Awards. The proceeds from the Sports Humanitarian Awards and ESPYS will support Pediatric Cancer Research at the V Foundation.
Below are the award descriptions, as well as details about the nominees and honorees for the 2026 Sports Humanitarian Awards.
Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award Honoree
The Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award celebrates someone that is creating measurable social change through sports by using a comprehensive philanthropic funding strategy. This may be a team owner, a former athlete, a current or former front office executive or coach or an individual whose primary charitable giving is directed towards sports.
Damar Hamlin
No athlete in professional football has experienced what Damar Hamlin experienced. Faced with a moment that could have defined his life, he chose to build something greater.
Damar turned one of the most extraordinary moments in professional sports into a mission of service. After surviving cardiac arrest during an NFL game, he used his platform to advance CPR education, expand AED access, support policy change, and inspire a national movement around emergency preparedness and public health.
Through the Chasing M’s Foundation, Damar has become a leading advocate for cardiac emergency preparedness and youth empowerment.
Under his leadership, the foundation has provided CPR education to millions, donated more than $1 million worth of AEDs to schools and youth-serving organizations, and supported legislative efforts that helped advance critical cardiac emergency response policies across 29 states.
Beyond health advocacy, Damar’s foundation has given back more than $1 million through scholarships, mentorship, violence prevention initiatives, and grants to community programs that support children and families facing barriers to success.
His ultimate vision is a Youth Empowerment Center in his hometown, a first-of-its-kind hub where young people and families can learn, heal, grow, and thrive. Creating a Stronger safer community.
Today, Damar’s impact extends far beyond football. His humanitarian work reflects resilience, purpose, and service. He continues to save lives, strengthen communities, and inspire others to transform adversity into purpose while building a legacy that will benefit future generations.