CENTURY CITY, Calif. — Jason Collins, the first active player in a major male team sport to announce he is gay, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and U.S. women’s soccer national team goalkeeper Hope Solo were honored Sunday at the 28th annual Sports Spectacular at the Century Plaza.
Collins, who completed the NBA season with the Washington Wizards, received the Inspirational Athlete of the Year Award, presented to the athlete who has persevered, defied the odds and inspired us all, organizers said.
“This award isn’t about me, it’s about hope,” Collins said in accepting the award.
Peterson received the Male Athlete of the Year award for rushing for 2,097 yards in 2012, the second highest total in NFL history, after undergoing surgery in 2011 to repair torn ligaments in his left knee.
Solo received the Female Athlete of the Year award for helping lead the U.S. to the gold medal at the London Olympics.
The event raises funds for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center’s Medical Genetics Institute and a fellowship program, which annually selects five medical professionals and supports their research in a variety of fields.
