Calgary Flames defenseman Mark Giordano of Toronto, Ontario was recognized at the 2017 ESPY Awards on Wednesday. The two-time National Hockey League all-star won the 2017 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award which is presented to the sports athlete who makes a positive impact in society.
Giordano received a $100,000 donation from ESPN which will go to his charity, Team Giordano, which has raised $300,000 for Calgary schools and helped 1900 Calgary school students. The initiative helps provide computers and physical education equipment. In the past Giordano has helped provide funding for Habitat for Humanity so homes could be built in Ethiopia, Kenya, India, the Philippines and Calgary. In recent years, Giordano has got behind causes that raise awareness toward the serious issues of sexual orientation discrimination and mental health awareness.
Giordano has played with the Flames now for 11 seasons. This past year he had 12 goals and 27 assists for 39 points in 81 games with the Flames. Those who Giordano beat out to win the award were Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald of Minneapolis, Minnesota, four-time golf major champion Ernie Els of Johannesburg, South Africa (has won the British Open and United States Open each twice) and New York Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson of Blue Island, Illinois.
