17TH ANNUAL SPORTS LEGENDS AWARDS, PRESENTED BY THE PARALYSIS PROJECT OF AMERICA

LOS ANGELES – Basketball’s Kevin Johnson, boxing’s Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini, hockey’s Luc Robitaille and thoroughbred racing’s Jose Santos returned to the limelight on Saturday, Feb. 23, when these memorable sports superstars were honored and their spectacular careers celebrated at the 17th Annual Sports Legends Awards at The Omni Hotel in Los Angeles.

Pictured (from left): Kevin Johnson (basketball, 2008 John R. Wooden Lifetime Achievement Award), Luc Robitaille (hockey), David Bailey (2008 Bill Shoemaker Award for Media Awareness), Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini (boxing) and Jose Santos (thoroughbred racing).



Also being honored will be Hall of Fame motocross champion and ESPN Supercross analyst David Bailey, who received the 2008 Bill Shoemaker Award for media awareness of the spinal cord injured and for his public advocacy for a revolutionary new safety device to be worn by motocross racers – the Leatt Brace.

2008 Sports Legends Awards honoree Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini .


Johnson was presented with the annual John R. Wooden Lifetime Achievement Award. The Paralysis Project of America’s annual awards ceremony, benefiting spinal cord research, was hosted by veteran sportscaster and sportswriter Diana Nyad, a Hall of Fame distance swimming standout in her own right, who was an honoree in 2007.

2008 Sports Legends Awards honoree Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini .