The former, multiple-occasion World Heavyweight Champion was honored here at the 15th-annual Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular for his lifetime achievements as a sports humanitarian. Also honored at the grand gala: former St. Louis Rams head coach Dick Vermeil, longtime track superstar Carl Lewis and Baseball Hall of Famer George Brett (Kansas City Royals). More than 1,500 attended here at the Century Plaza Hotel & Tower on Avenue of the Stars, benefiting the Cedars-Sinai Medical Genetics Birth Defects Center. The event has raised more than $1 million in each of the last two years to help in the research, prevention and diagnosis of hereditary disorders and birth defects among fetuses, newborns,children and adults. The Sports Spectacular has provided more than $9 million to benefit the Center over the years. How? Partially due to an incredible auction of about 300 lots, with glitzy, game-used sports items, Hollywood goodies such as signed scripts to shows like Friends, to amazing travel packages. Also up-for-grabs at the auction: a 2000 Mercedes Benz CL500 Coupe. And it was the Hulkster who walked, er, drove away with the top prize. The Sports Spectacular is a Who's Who of the sports world, with appearances this year by Bruce Jenner, Charles Barkley, Jim Hill, Eric Dickerson, Tracy Murray, Skip Hicks, Marcus Allen and countless others. Jenner, upon arriving on the famed red carpet, told of the time he filmed The Love Boat along with Hogan. "That was a great time and it's great to see Hulk honored," Jenner said. Brett told of his ties to Hogan dating back to Hogan's early years in the WWF. "This is a great award. I'm very honored to receive it," Hogan said. But, Hulk, what about the attire? You can't battle the New Blood in such gear. Never fear, he said. He might just tear off the suit, if need be. Luckily the need wasn't there Sunday ... just a distinguished, honored Hogan. |
