Jack Nicklaus will be honored by Sports Illustrated on Tuesday night in New York with the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award, given to individuals “who embody the ideals of sportsmanship, leadership and philanthropy.”
The award, first given in 2008 to Special Olympics founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, was renamed after the former heavyweight boxing champion for this year. Basketball legend Magic Johnson is among the award’s recipients as well.
On the occasion of Nicklaus receiving the award, Tiger Woods penned a letter congratulating Nicklaus and posted it on his website.
Here is the letter in full:
I’d like to congratulate Jack on receiving the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award. Every honor Jack receives is well-deserved, and this one, that recognizes the ideals of sportsmanship, leadership and philanthropy as tools for changing the world, is pretty special.
Jack’s tournament records are incredible, not just his 18 majors (plus two U.S. amateurs) and 73 PGA Tour wins, but his 19 second-place finishes in the majors, which I think may be his most incredible stat. The way he would rise to every occasion with the shot it demanded under the circumstances are unparalleled. His skill, mind and determination allowed him to accomplish amazing things. My first real recollection of a major championship was his win at the 1986 Masters.
Jack and Barbara are wonderful philanthropists supporting children’s health. Among the many fantastic things they do is the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, which supports pediatric health-care services in Florida and nationally.
I’m extremely happy for Jack, and I’ve always admired his accomplishments, but it’s a lot more than that. He’s an outstanding person, and I’m honored that I can call him a friend.
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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