Nigerian born American Oakland Raiders defensive back, Nnamdi Asomugha is among the 10 finalists nominated for the Jefferson Award for Public Service.
Nnamdi was selected from 53 athletes in 10 different sports for the prestigious recognition and was nominated by the All Stars Helping Kids foundation. Among the 10 finalists, two will be chosen to be honored at the national Jefferson Awards on June 22nd in Washington, D.C.
The Jefferson Awards were first established by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Robert Taft and Sam Beard in 1972. The goal of the ceremony was to create a “Nobel Prize for public service”.
If Asomugha hears his name called for that award, he’ll be in even more rarified air. Among the past winners of the Jefferson Award are four Supreme Court justices, seven Secretaries of State, Oprah Winfrey, Alan Greenspan, Colin Powell, Lance Armstrong and Bill Gates to name a few.
Also a soccer player and United States National Team player, Stuart Holden who plays for Houston Dynamo as midfielder, is in the contest for the award. Holden was named one of the members of the “Dream Team For Public Service.” Two of those honorees will win the Jefferson Award.
The ten members of the “Dream Team for Public Service” are: Nnamdi Asomugha (Lafayette, La.) defensive back, Oakland Raiders, NFL , Curtis Granderson (Chicago, Ill.), all-star outfielder Detroit Tigers, MLB, Stuart Holden (Houston, Texas) forward, Houston Dynamo, MLS, Dwight Howard (Orlando, Fla.), all-star forward, Orlando Magic, NBA ,Dirk Nowitzki (Wurzburg, Germany), all-star forward, Dallas Mavericks, NBA and Tyrus Thomas (Baton Rouge, La.), forward, Chicago Bulls, NBA
Others include Justin Tuck (Coosa County, Ala.) all-pro defensive end, New York Giants, NFL, Lauryn Williams (Rochester, Pa.), Olympian and World Champion sprinter,
Venus Williams (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.) Olympian and Grand Slam champion, WTA, and Ryan Zimmerman (Washington, N.C.) all-star third baseman, Washington Nationals, MLB
“Many times we forget that elite athletes from so many different walks of life are using their stature to make an impact – especially as role models for young Americans,” Jefferson Award founder Sam Beard said.
“This group is a great cross-sampling of what is being done in so many sports to impact the lives of others. They are all leaders and champions in their own way and we are proud to salute them all.”