Denver’s You Can Play receives first ESPN Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Sports Humanitarian Award

DENVER – It’s a big week for the Denver-based non-profit You Can Play Project with the sports-focused anti-homophobia campaign attending the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles to receive the first Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award from ESPN and, separately, being recognized by the National Education Association for “creative leadership in human rights.”

The Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, given as part of ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards program, pays tribute to the late sportscaster and his “indomitable spirit, celebrating those who use the power of sport by taking risk and using an innovative approach to aid the disadvantaged, save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain and protect human dignity,” according to ESPN.

“Through their selflessness and compassion, the Sports Humanitarian of the Year Award honorees are improving lives of many around the world,” ESPN president John Skipper said. “The awards pay tribute to some incredible individuals and organizations and the extraordinary impact of their efforts on society.”

“Stuart Scott’s legacy is one of courage and honesty,” said You Can Play president Patrick Burke. “It’s an honor to even be mentioned alongside Stuart and a greater honor to carry on his legacy of respect for sports.”

In addition to the ESPN award, You Can Play has become the first non-profit organization to win the National Education Association’s Virginia Uribe Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights.  Immediate past award winners include philanthropist Tim Gill and entertainer Cyndi Lauper.

You Can Play and co-founder Brian Kitts also have received the 2015 Colorado Education Association’s Coloradan Award – the highest award for a non-member – for You Can Play’s work fighting homophobia in partnership with the Colorado High School Activities Association. CHSAA and You Can Play were joined in the inclusion and diversity campaign by the Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth, Denver Nuggets, Denver Outlaws and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.

“Creativity, leadership and human rights are the core values of You Can Play and we’re happy that so many in Colorado’s sports community have sent an inclusive message to athletes and fans – especially our youth,” Kitts said.  “Any volunteer working in non-profit advocacy simply wants to make our part of the world better so, the recognition from those who see the results of our efforts, in both sports and education, is tremendously humbling.”

You Can Play was founded in 2012 to challenge a sometimes homophobic culture in locker rooms and sports venues. The You Can Play Project asks athletes and fans to acknowledge an athlete’s skill, commitment and contribution to his or her game, rather than sexual orientation. You Can Play was founded after a talk on homophobia at the University of Denver by then-Philadelphia Flyers scout Patrick Burke, Denver sports marketing executive Brian Kitts and Denver real estate developer Glenn Witman. Last year, Kitts and You Can Play became the first LGBT sports advocates to address the United Nations.

Laila Ali will host the Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards in Los Angeles. You Can Play will be honored along with Major League Baseball Commissioner Emeritus Bud Selig and his wife Suzanne (Sue), Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, and the “Like a Girl” Campaign. Humanitarian of the Year Awards will be announced from finalists in the individual category (Anquan Boldin – San Francisco 49ers, Tamika Catchings – Indiana Fever, John Cena – WWE, Henrik Lundqvist – New York Rangers) and team of the year category (Chicago Bulls, Portland Timbers, San Francisco 49ers, WWE Community Relations).

A special featuring award-winners will air on ESPN on July 23.