Artwork by Richard Hess

"In one sense these men and women are representative, vicars of all athletes who give of themselves unto others...they are not merely symbolic; they are very much flesh and blood, and this: They are the worthiest."

Text by Frank Deford
Issue Date: December 21, 1987

In 1987 Sports Illustrated honored six men and two women for their humanitarian efforts.

Bob Bourne, a center for the Los Angeles Kings, helped raise thousands of dollars for a school for handicapped children in Medford, New York.

Judi Brown King, then the U.S. record-holder in the 400-meter hurdles, worked at the Lane County (Oregon) Relief Nursery where she was involved in several programs to help abused children.

Kip Keino, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1500-meter run, became "father" to dozens of orphaned children in Kenya, by supporting them financially and giving them shelter in his own home.

Dale Murphy, an outfielder for the Atlanta Braves, was active in and served as spokesperson for numerous charities, including the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Georgia March of Dimes and the American Heart Association.

Chip Rives, a Wake Forest fullback, created Santa's Helper, a program in Winston-Salem, N.C., that provides toys for needy children.

Patty Sheehan, LPGA Tour Player of the Year in 1983, funded a group home in Soquel, California for 13-to-18-year-old girls who had been abused and neglected.

Rory Sparrow, a point guard with the New York Knicks, began a foundation to organize after-school activities and leadership programs for hundreds of high school-age kids in New York City and his hometown of Paterson, N.J.

Reggie Williams, a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals, served as trustee for the Cincinnati Speech and Hearing Center and also founded a scholarship fund to help inner-city Cincinnati high school kids go to college.