Sports fans supporting ‘Best Buddies’ celebrate a milestone anniversary with arguably the greatest football player of all time.
The 25th annual Best Buddies Miami Gala took place on Friday at Ice Palace Studios in Miami, Florida and included a dinner, silent auction and a performance by singer and rapper Nelly.
During the awards ceremony, legendary NFL quarterback Tom Brady received the Spirit of Leadership Award, which is “the highest honor among the best, presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in support of the organization’s mission.” A remarkable man of generosity and spirit.” Organization’s website.
Brady is a global ambassador for Best Buddies, having started with the organization while playing for the New England Patriots and now continues his retirement after three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a global volunteer movement that provides opportunities for one-on-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development and even Creating opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Needs, Disabilities (IDD).
The must-win first-round Hall of Famer, who just retired last season, wore a classic black suit with a white shirt and black tie for success.
At some point, the five-time Super Bowl MVP took a microphone and addressed the crowd of supporters about the work the nonprofit is doing
To help boost the proceeds, there are some Brady jerseys and footballs in the auction.
The crowd went wild when Brady decided to show off his arm and throw a perfect spiral to one of the backers.
The recently retired NFL superstar is considered by most fans and sports experts to be the best player of all time, but then he decided to get serious, took off his suit jacket and prepared to throw a pass to someone in the crowd.
The auction showcases a variety of items including once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, works of art, exclusive vacations and sporting events.
Grammy Award winner Nelly (née Cornell Haynes Jr.), 49, highlighted the evening’s entertainment with a special performance that included some of his biggest hits.
Some of the other big names on hand to lend their support included Carl Lewis, Courtney Six, Caroline Dixon, Juliette Vallee and Charlotte McKinney, among others.
Proceeds from the event will go directly to Best Buddies’ mission of creating friendships, employment, leadership development, and even life opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
In a more than 20-year friendship with the organization, Best Buddies has served tens of thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and raised more than $100 million for our global programs.
Brady’s support not only helps the organization financially, but also builds Best Buddies’ brand awareness and promotes its mission-based initiatives that create friendships, job opportunities, leadership development training, and even Housing is provided for people with disabilities.
During his tenure as a Best Buddies global ambassador, he hosted and participated in events from Boston to Cape Cod to Qatar.
Over the years, he wrote letters, made phone calls, and continues to do whatever he can to help with Best Buddies’ development efforts by connecting the organization with its sponsors and supporters.
As a player, he even entertained special guests at football games and provided memorabilia at various events including 25th anniversary celebrations.
The IDD community that Best Buddies serves includes those with Down syndrome, autism, fragile X, Williams syndrome, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and other undiagnosed disabilities.
The organization uses programs that enhance the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with peers, obtain successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy and communication skills, and feel valued by society.
Best Buddies is recognized as the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The late Keith Haring, one of the most renowned contemporary artists, created and donated the Best Buddies logo in the late 1980s because he had family members with special needs.
This explains why Harlem’s unique artistic talent is all over the background during Best Buddy events.
Maintenance logo “a blend of colorful creations that represent one-on-one organizational affection and acceptance”