LOS ANGELES -- The Chicago Bulls and WNBA player Tamika Catchings have been honored at the first Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards.
The Bulls won in the team category and received a $75,000 grant to a charity related to their humanitarian efforts.
Catchings, who plays for the Indiana Fever, won in the individual category. She received the same grant for her Catch the Stars Foundation, which helps teach girls about embracing their differences, building self-esteem and overcoming obstacles.
The awards, sponsored by ESPN and PlayStation, were presented Tuesday night at the Conga Room at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. ESPN said more than $500,000 in net proceeds was raised for The V Foundation's Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Fund as well as funding grants.
Last year, the Bulls organized more than 100 community events focused on youth education, violence prevention and health. The team distributed $2.5 million in cash and in-kind donations to local organizations.
Catchings beat out finalists Anquan Boldin of the San Francisco 49ers, WWE star John Cena and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers. Each finalist received a $25,000 grant to a charity related to his humanitarian efforts.
The other team finalists were the Portland Timbers of MLS, the 49ers and WWE community relations. Each received a $25,000 grant.
Also honored with $25,000 grants were the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award winners: Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll; retired baseball commissioner Bud Selig and his wife, Sue; the You Can Play Project; and the "Like A Girl" campaign.
ESPN will air highlights of the show July 23.
