Held at L.A. LIVE’s The Novo, the event celebrated and honoured leagues, teams, individuals and members of the sporting community that are using the power of sport to make a positive impact on society. Multiple sports leagues and/or governing bodies – including MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, USOC, USTA, WNBA and WWE – nominated athletes, teams and community members who are transforming lives and uplifting communities.

Through this, Giordano will be able to direct a $100,000 (USD) grant from ESPN to his Team Giordano program, which has impacted the lives of 1,900 high-needs students in Calgary. PGA Tour Golfer Ernie Els, Arizona Cardinals’ wideout Larry Fitzgerald and New York Mets’ outfielder Curtis Granderson were the other finalists.

“I am so incredibly honoured to receive this award,” said Giordano. “To be mentioned in the same sentence as Muhammad Ali is something I could never imagine. Mr. Ali was more than just an athlete, he was a global icon that led numerous humanitarian efforts to better the lives of thousands around the world. I would like to thank the Ali family and ESPN along with congratulating all nominees for their community efforts. I share this award with the Calgary Flames organization, the Flames ownership group and all Calgarians as I am fortunate to live in a first class city that on a daily basis strives to make our community better. Most importantly, I would like to thank my wife Lauren, whose tireless efforts have helped make what our Team Giordano program is today.”

“On behalf the Calgary Flames ownership group and the entire organization, I would like to congratulate Mark and Lauren on receiving this incredible distinction,” said Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation President and Calgary Flames Foundation President Ken King. “The time and energy they have invested to create positive change within the Calgary community is remarkable and I am extremely pleased to see their names alongside one of the most influential sports figures of our generation. “They are creating an extraordinary legacy for their family, the Flames organization, and our entire community.”

Giordano will continue to be recognized tomorrow night as he joins the biggest names in sports at The ESPYS (6:00pm MT, ABC) which celebrates excellence in individual and team sports at L.A.’s Microsoft Theatre.

Undrafted but now at the forefront of the Calgary Flames, Giordano never loses sight of what got him to the NHL, and consistently exhibits conviction, integrity and bravery in his long-history of giving back to the community. His 5 for 5 initiative provided the funding to build five homes with Habitat for Humanity in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, the Philippines and the Calgary area. In collaboration with the Calgary Board of Education, Mark and Lauren created Team Giordano in 2014. Funded by the Giordanos, the Calgary Italian Open and the Flames Foundation, and in partnership with Pizza 73, ATB Financial and Cardel Homes, the program has donated $300,000 to four high-needs Calgary schools. The program not only provides resources, including computers, supplies and their own “Gio Journals” to track students’ progress, but promotes physical fitness, academics, and the positive behaviors that lead to success in life. And the program is working—with one school reporting that 88% of students are reading at grade level thanks to the literacy resources provided courtesy of Team Giordano. Additionally, he stands behind other important community causes, including stamping out discrimination based on sexual orientation and support of mental health awareness.

The net proceeds of the event benefitted the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation. In addition, ESPN will grant another $1 million to the charities of the nominees and winners. Combined, more than $1.7 million was distributed to the community as a result of the initiative in 2016.

The finalists and winners were determined by an independent selection committee, which includes: Nick Keller, Founder and President of Beyond Sport, Donald Lassere, CEO of the Muhammad Ali Center, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, CEO of Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA, Sab Singh, Founder of Sports Doing Good, Caryl Stern, CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and Eli Wolff, Director of the Sport and Society program at Brown University.