by Yolanda Paige, NDG Contributor
Earvin “Magic” Johnson has been propelled into the spotlight again after Donald Sterling’s interview with Anderson Cooper aired on CNN. During the interview, Sterling questioned, “What has he (Johnson) done to help minorities. “
Well, retired Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith took to Facebook to answer the question:
“How can anyone question Magic Johnson’s contribution to community and kids? Thank you Magic and Cj by Cookie Johnson for helping us raise $1M this weekend for kids! In 20 minutes, you changed 20 underserved kids lives forever! Pat Smith and Emmitt Smith are forever grateful.”
Pat and Emmitt Smith presented Earvin “Magic” Johnson, and his wife Cookie, the first-ever “Roger Staubach Award” at the fifth-annual Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational weekend’s “Friday Night Party”.
The Staubach Award was established in honor of legendary Dallas Cowboy quarterback Roger Staubach. The award aims “to recognize individuals who have brought together the world of sports/entertainment and business to make an extraordinary impact on the lives of children and youth.”
“I’m doubly honored – first, to have this award named in my honor but also to have the first recipients be Cookie and Magic Johnson. They’ve lived courageously, created jobs and opportunities, and helped so many kids in countless ways.” said Staubach.
Former basketball adversary retired Detroit Piston Mark Aguirred introduced Johnson and his wife. After a heart-felt introduction Johnson and his wife took to the stage hand and hand. Seemingly unfazed by the racist and vile comments by Clippers’ owner, Donald Sterling Magic Johnson delivered a gracious thank you speech. Johnson and his wife both praised Emmitt and Pat Smith for their work with the youth in North Texas.
“When I discovered that I would receive an award in honor of my hero I was excited.” Johnson went on to say that Roger Staubach was his hero because he excelled in both the sports world and in corporate America.
Other highlights of the night included a performance by Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Darius Rucker better known as Hootie, from Hootie and the Blow Fish. After the Rucker’s performance, The Emerald City Band got everyone on the dance floor.
The charitable festivities continued on to Saturday, with an 18-hole charity golf tournament, sponsored by American Airlines, at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney. All the proceeds raised during weekend will go to Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities, (PESC), a 501(c)(3) public charity that creates and funds unique educational experiences and enrichment opportunities for underserved children.
To date, the Emmitt Smith Celebrity Invitational has raised more than $2.4 million in support of Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities. Past beneficiaries include After-School All-Stars North Texas, Autism Speaks, Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County, C5 Youth Foundation, Community Council of Greater Dallas, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Minnie’s Food Pantry, North Texas Food Bank, North Texas Youth Education Town Center – The Salvation Army, Play Like a Girl, The Turning Point, and many more. Funds also go to PESC’s own Team 22 program, which provides personal mentoring and unique experiences to underserved youth in the North Texas area.
That’s great when one legend acknowledges another. Great job, Magic and Emmitt! Also, there was a misspelling in “Hootie & the Blowfish”
Magic, Emmitt, and their Wives have been active in the “black community”, for years. I have personally worked with the Smith’s on several projects, and my brother, Pastor Corey Brooks in Chicago has served along-side Magic many times. We appreciate the commitment they have shown, not just to people of color, but to all races of people. -Thanks For The Love