ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Tennis legend Billie Jean King, former Major League Baseball star Kirk Gibson and athletes whose extraordinary acts of compassion have inspired communities around the world are among the honorees for the 2026 Musial Awards.
The St. Louis Sports Commission announced the full lineup Wednesday, Oct. 21. The annual celebration of sportsmanship will take place Saturday, Nov. 21, at Stifel Theatre in downtown St. Louis, with honorees representing professional sports, high school athletics and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
King will receive the Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship, recognizing her accomplishments on the tennis court and her decades of advocacy for equality and opportunity for women and girls in sports.
Featured photo: Billie Jean King in January 2026. Claire Fridkin / WikiPortraits, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Source photograph cropped.
Kirk Gibson recognized for extraordinary character
Gibson, a two-time World Series champion and 1988 MVP, will receive the Musial Award for Extraordinary Character for his efforts to support people living with Parkinson’s disease.
The former Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers player helped establish the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, where members can access movement-based therapies and a supportive community without paying for the programs, according to the Sports Commission.
Organizers said Gibson also raises funds to keep the programs free and regularly visits the center to spend time with members.
Remarkable acts of kindness on and off the field
Aaron Beggs of Northern Ireland and Robson de Oliveira of Brazil will be honored for helping fellow Boston Marathon runner Ajay Haridasse cross the finish line after he collapsed near the end of the race. Beggs stopped first, and de Oliveira joined them as the three finished together.
Alabama high school football player Jeffrey Garrott will be recognized for comforting an opposing coach’s young son following a difficult playoff loss. Rather than focus solely on his team’s overtime victory, Garrott approached the upset boy and offered reassurance.
Professional soccer player Carson Pickett of Denver Summit FC will be honored for her friendship with a young fan, Hayden Stine, who shares her limb difference. Organizers credit their relationship with helping build the young fan’s confidence and inspiring others.
Oklahoma basketball team gives up district title
One of the most striking stories involves the Academy of Classical Christian Studies girls basketball team in Oklahoma. After initially being declared the winner of a district playoff game against Apache High School, the team’s coach reviewed footage and discovered the official score had been recorded incorrectly.
The Academy had been credited with a 44-43 victory, but the review showed Apache actually won 43-42. After discussing the discovery, the Academy’s players unanimously agreed to hand the district championship to Apache.
World Cup supporters and hosts also honored
Japanese soccer supporters will receive recognition for collecting trash after matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Asahi Ueda, founder of the Nippon Ultras fan group, is expected to travel from Japan to accept the award on behalf of fellow supporters.
The ceremony will also recognize Jordan’s national soccer team for leaving gifts and a note of appreciation for its hosts after a match in Dallas, and the Lawrence, Kansas, community for welcoming the Algerian national team during the tournament.
Tickets and national broadcast
The Musial Awards begin at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Individual tickets range from $15 to $50. A $150 VIP experience includes an orchestra-level seat, admission to the after-party and reserved parking. Information and tickets are available at MusialAwards.com/tickets.
A one-hour special featuring the awards is scheduled to air nationwide on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Dec. 26.
The Musial Awards, named in honor of St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial, have been held in St. Louis since 2005. They are produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and National Sportsmanship Foundation and presented by Maryville University.
Source: St. Louis Sports Commission, official honorees announcement issued Oct. 21, 2026. Additional event information: St. Louis Sports Commission.
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