In the NFL, they have the Walter Payton Player of the Year Award presented to the player who exemplifies sportsmanship and humanitarian efforts both on and off the field of play.
In the MLB, that award is named after Roberto Clemente who died in a plane crash delivering relief supplies to victims of a natural disaster.
The 2025 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award goes to Los Angeles Dodgers short stop Mookie Betts.
Betts was recognized for “his extraordinary character, community involveement, philanthropy and positive contributions through his work with his 5050 Foundation”.
Upon hearing that he was nominated for the award in September Betts said, “it just means the world. This isn’t something that you get judged on based on your performance. It’s something that you just do out of the kindness of your heart. Just caring about people, man.”
He added, “it’s just opportunities to do something that don’t have anything to do with talent. Those are things that I genuinely care about, and I feel like this reward shows that.”
Betts and wife Brianna founded the 5050 Foundation in 2021 to aid youth in their communities – Los Angeles and Nashville – based around physical fitness, mental and emotional health, nutrition and financial literacy.
One of the projects Betts’ 5050 Foundation participated in this year was relief efforts for victims of the wildfires in Los Angeles by donating over $30,000 worth of clothing.
The 5050 Foundation also partnered with the Dodgers Foundation to donate over $160,000 to the Brotherhood Crusade to help fight homelessness and hunger.
The Foundation also donates sports equipment and the UCLA Children’s Hospital with pediatric healthcare. He also spends time helping out with the Dodgers Foundation.
In Nashville, Betts works with amateur sports groups.