HOUSTON –Houston set the stage for the NFL’s 51-year Super Bowl anniversary and the 30th Annual Leigh Steinberg Super Bowl Party which kicked off at noon on Saturday, Feb. 4th. The party provided a star-studded backdrop for the second annual Steinberg-DeNicola Humanitarian Awards, honoring members of the NFL family for outstanding contributions to their communities and their fellow man. The event was held at the Hughes Manor in downtown Houston, with 4,500 in attendance. Described as “the granddaddy of Super Bowl parties,” Steinberg’s invitation-only charity bash attracts luminaries from the worlds of sports, business, media and entertainment, including Hall of Famers, movie stars, CEOs and politicians.
The Steinberg-DeNicola Humanitarian Awards, created by renowned agent Leigh Steinberg and agency partner Cosmo DeNicola, co-owner of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul, were introduced in 2015 to generate awareness for the positive side of professional football that is often overshadowed or under-reported. The awards recognize the charitable initiatives and personal efforts of NFL team owners, team executives, head coaches, active and retired players.
At a special ceremony conducted during this year’s party, Steinberg and DeNicola presented the 2017 awards to Kansas City Chiefs Owner Clark Hunt, Arizona Cardinals Head Coach Bruce Arians, Baltimore Ravens Wide Receiver Steve Smith Sr, Houston Texans General Manager Rick Smith, Houston Oilers Retired Quarterback Warren Moon, Project HEAR Us Foundation and Houston Oilers Retired Running Back Earl Campbell was awarded the BBVA LiveBrite Award.
“This years’ honorees are an extraordinary group of individuals who have used their platforms in the NFL to change people’s lives for the better,” said Steinberg. “Cosmo and I are extremely proud to be able to recognize the important work they do and the sacrifices they make to give back to the community and make a difference.”
DeNicola added, “These awards are a special testament to the caliber of great people in professional football – the real winners who inspire all of us to be better and do better.”
Continuing its long-held tradition of giving back through philanthropic causes, the Leigh Steinberg Super Bowl Party will donate proceeds from the event’s silent sports memorabilia auction to the non-profits supported by the Steinberg-DeNicola Humanitarian Award winners. In addition, the event served to host the second Brain Health Summit, exploring research and solutions for the growing epidemic of concussion-related injuries.