Sports Illustrated announced on Thursday that John Cena will be the recipient of the 2018 Sports Illustrated Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.
Cena will be receiving the award for his “leadership as a philanthropist.” The article notes that Cena has granted nearly 600 wishes with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Cena was quoted in the announcement, noting he was thrilled to receive the 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.”
Sports Illustrated Executive Editor Stephen Cannella also provided comment.
“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. 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 award presentation will take place on December 11 at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles as part of Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year event.