Legendary tennis player/activist Billie Jean King was among those honored at the 2021 Sports Illustrated Awards (SI Awards) presented by Pepsi Stronger Together, held Dec. 7 at Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
King received The Muhammad Ali Legacy Award Presented by Alkaline88. The award, presented by two-time gold medalist and four-time First Team All-American softball player Jessica Mendoza, celebrates individuals whose dedication to the ideals of sportsmanship has spanned decades and whose career in athletics has directly or indirectly impacted the world.
King is the first LBGTQ+ recipient of the award since it was established in 2015.
For the first time in the history of the awards, Sports Illustrated unveiled its Sportsperson of the Year live from the ceremony, presenting it to quarterback and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady. Teammate and tight end Rob Gronkowski presented the award to him.
The Windy City had a connection to the award ceremony, as Chicago Sky player Candace Parker was the woman's winner of the Hometown Hero Award Presented by Pepsi Stronger Together. The Miami Heat's Udonis Haslem received the men's honor.
Athletes of the year were Olympians Suni Lee (gymnastics) and Caeleb Dressel (swimming).
