Holden honored for public service
Dynamo midfielder named a finalist for Jefferson Award
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But the Houston Dynamo midfielder was selected to another dream team, one of 10 athletes honored for their public service as Jefferson Award finalists at the Sports, Business & Philanthropy luncheon in midtown Manhattan Tuesday afternoon.
Holden joined NFL stars Justin Tuck and Nmandi Asomugha, MLB standouts Ryan Zimmerman and Curtis Granderson, who was traded to the New York Yankees Tuesday, and NBA stars Dwight Howard, Tyrus Thomas and Dirk Nowitzki, as well as tennis superstar Venus Williams and track and field standout Lauryn Williams, as part of the "Dream Team for Public Service" by the All-Stars Helping Kids.
"Being names in a Dream Team in a sport is one thing, but to be named to a Dream Team with such elite players in community service, that's the most important thing to me," Holden said.
The mission of the organization, founded by NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, is to "promote a safe, healthy and rigorous learning environment for disadvantaged children in low-income communities."
Basketball Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman was also honored, winning the Bill Walsh Champion of Change Award.
"These champions represent a wide swath of success both on and off the playing field, and we are very excited to be able to honor this group," Lott said. "The real winners in this process are the millions of people that all these athletes have assisted in community service. It's an honor for us to recognize this group and assist all of them in their very noble endeavors."
Holden was initially one of 53 athletes nominated for the Jefferson Award, established in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, U.S. Senator Robert Taft, Jr. and Seam Beard to present a Nobel Prize for public service.
Previous winners include Oprah Winfrey, Lance Armstrong and Peyton Manning.
"These are people I look up to on and off the field," Holden said.
The top two winners will be honored at the national Jefferson Awards ceremony on June 22 in Washington, D.C.
"When I was first nominated as part of the first 53 that was an honor to me and to be down to the final 10 and be amongst these guys and be honored for the work I'm doing is even more flattering," Holden said. "You take a step back and look at the names you're with and look at the previous winners and it would be the ultimate honor if I could win."
Holden is a two-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Foundation Dynamo Humanitarian of the Year award for his work in the community, including his support of cancer research and awareness, particularly with child patients. He has established Holden's Heroes and is part of the founding board of Nick's Team, a nonprofit organization devoted to raising money for children cancer research.
Holden's father, Brian, lost a six-year battle with pancreatic cancer in February.
"Going with my dad on a daily basis and watching the chemo and the therapy -- my dad was 50 years old when he was diagnosed," Holden said. "Knowing that kids were diagnosed with cancer and similar diseases and they were going through the same things he was going through, it really struck a nerve in me."
Not only did Holden get to meet and hang out with other professional athletes who share a similar passion, the luncheon also allowed Holden a chance to network with people who were interested in his foundation and charity work, including one person who lost his friend to pancreatic cancer.
Holden also rang the opening bell at NASDAQ in what was a busy and memorable day in New York.
"I love New York City and being in the city and ringing the bell at the NASDAQ and being with this group of guys at this luncheon, it's flattering," Holden said. "It's humbling because we don't do the work for the accolades. It's nice to be recognized. It keeps that inspiration and the fire burning."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
