Behind The ScenesESPYsGiving BackSports Humanitarian Awards

“[There’s] nowhere I would rather be than here helping to recognize incredible people using sports to uplift communities.”

Singer Andy Grammer looks forward to performing during the Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards on ESPN

EDITOR’S NOTE: The fifth annual Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards, presented by ESPN and sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb, will celebrate and honor leagues, teams, individuals and members of the sporting community that are using the power of sport to make a positive impact on society. The sports industry-wide event will be held on tonight at L.A. LIVE’s The Novo. Grammy Award winner, singer and songwriter Ciara will host for the very first time. Multiplatinum-selling pop singer and songwriter Andy Grammer, who will be performing during the show, shared his thoughts with Front Row.

LOS ANGELES – Singer Andy Grammer’s connections to sports and ESPN run deeper than you might think.

The New York Knicks fan has performed the national anthem at both the 2015 World Series and the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Game, the latter airing on ESPN. He also played in the 2017 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game that also aired on ESPN.

Grammer will be performing during the fifth annual Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards tonight. He is excited to be working with ESPN again just before the release of his new album Naive on July 26.

How do you feel about performing on the Sports Humanitarian Awards for the first time?
I am genuinely honored. [There’s] nowhere I would rather be than here helping to recognize incredible people using sports to uplift communities.

What are you excited the most about tonight?
Knowing the emotions of a night like this, I think singing a song like Don’t Give Up On Me is going to be really special.

Which ESPN shows do you watch and why? Who are your favorite ESPN commentators?
I grew up with SportsCenter as a staple of my childhood. One of my best childhood memories is waking up from sleepovers with my basketball team and watching Stuart Scott break it down for us.

What do you enjoy most about working alongside ESPN?
I am an athlete at heart. Still super close with all my varsity basketball friends and I bring a lot of competitive energy to my music career. As I am a huge fan of sports, who better to work with than ESPN?

The highlights of the fifth annual Sports Humanitarian of the Year Awards evening will be showcased during a one-hour program airing on ESPN Thursday, July 18, at 7 p.m. ET.

Andy Grammer (Photo courtesy of Donovan Public Relations)
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