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 was honored Sunday at the 28th annual Sports Spectacular at the Century Plaza.
Collins, who graduated from Harvard-Westlake in Studio City and lived in Northridge as a youth, completed the NBA season with the Washington Wizards. On Sunday, he received the Inspirational Athlete of the Year Award, presented to the athlete who has persevered, defied the odds and inspired us all, organizers said.
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, who helped lead the U.S. to the gold medal at the London Olympics, will receive the Female Athlete of the Year Award.
The event helps fund the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Medical Genetics Institute, research by medical professionals and a prom dress giveaway organized by Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul's foundation.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
