Play For Good

Honorees at Play for Good Gala 2023

Celebrating the Legacies of Game-Changers

During the event, we will honor three remarkable individuals who transcend their professional and sport accomplishments by dedicating their time and resources to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Mia Hamm

Inaugural Mia Hamm Founders Award

Mia Hamm is a trailblazing soccer icon and an AFH Founding Athlete who has epitomized what it means to be a sports philanthropist. Through the Mia Hamm Foundation, Mia is committed to raising awareness and funds for families in need of a marrow or cord blood transplant and to the development of more opportunities for young women in sports. This first-ever award is a tribute to Mia’s passion for giving back to the community and AFH’s mission.

Vernon Davis

Community Hero Award

A Washington, D.C. native, Vernon Davis is an NFL Legend who has demonstrated greatness on and off of the field. Through the Vernon Davis Foundation and his dedication to supporting youth, education, and mental health advocacy, Vernon has truly become a game-changer in the community.

George Cohen

Lifetime Hero Award

George Cohen served as a leading sports lawyer and an AFH Founding Board Member who has been a champion of the AFH mission since day one. Among other charities and causes throughout the Washington, D.C. metro area, George has been an avid supporter of The Theatre Lab, as well as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Kennedy Center and the National Institutes of Health. 

Revisit Play for Good 2022

September 25, 2022 | Over $220,000 Raised!

We are so appreciative of our sponsors and donors for their support of our organization and the athletes we work with every single day. From helping underserved children stay active and learn core leadership skills to destigmatizing mental health in and out of sports, our programs make a tangible impact on the lives of millions – thank you.

Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky was recognized as the 2022 AFH Community Hero! Watch her acceptance speech and hear what Stephen Curry had to say when introducing her.

We were proud to highlight our Whole Being Athlete Program during Play for Good, with a focus on our partnership with WETA and PBS. Watch the video featuring Track and Field Olympian and AFH Mental Health Ambassador Kendall Ellis that aired at NAMICon earlier this year.

About Athletes for Hope

Founded by Muhammad Ali, Andre Agassi, Mia Hamm and nine other elite athletes in 2006, Athletes for Hope (AFH) is a cause-neutral non-profit that educates, encourages, and empowers athletes to find their passions and use their time to positively engage with their communities. Over the past 16 years, AFH has educated more than 10,000 professional, Olympic, Paralympic and collegiate athletes through its Causeway workshop series, and helped athletes volunteer with hundreds of underserved schools and impactful community organizations through core programs that focus upon helping underserved children become more physically active, changing the public stigma around mental health, and brightening the lives of children in hospitals. Through their dedication and passion for doing good, AFH athletes have positively impacted the lives of millions around the world.