If your Friday plans are centered around TV and chill (literally, as it may freeze), we suggest you tune into NBCSN, as Houston will be the MVP of the 2017 Sportsperson of the Year Award Show.
As seen all over social media this week, J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans, and José Altuve of the World Series Champion Houston Astros, are both 2017 Sportsperson of the Year recipients. (Cool local angle: Houston men’s style house Festari dressed and styled Altuve for the SI cover.)
You can expect some serious Htown love when Houston native (and NFL great) Michael Strahan presents the award to the two local legends, with a speech recognizing their contributions to the Houston community.
With his trademark humility, Watt credits first responders and citizens in his acceptance speech: “I don’t think I could accept this award without mentioning the 200,000 people who donated to the fund…without mentioning all the firefighters and policeman, and all the people who got their own boats and went out in the streets to help save people. This award is about humans being good to help other humans and I think it’s incredible,” he says. For a refresher, Watt’s total donations topped $37 million.
Fresh off his retirement announcement, Astros star Carlos Beltran has been given the first-ever Hope Award from SI for using his platform to help Puerto Rico rebuild after Hurricane Maria.
“As a Puerto Rican, I’m extremely proud to be from the Island that has given me so much support throughout my 20-year career in baseball,” Beltran says. Beyoncé even makes an appearance — furthering the Htown dominance — as she and Daily Show host Trevor Noah present Colin Kaepernick with the SI Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.
But who are we kidding? It’s all about Justin James, and Altuve.
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The Sports Illustrated 2017 Sportsperson of the Year Award Show will first air nationally on NBCSN at 7 pm, Friday, December 8. NBCSN will air an encore presentation of Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year at 9 pm, Sunday, December 10; and 10:30 pm, Tuesday, December 12.
Jose Altuve and JJ Watt model their Sports Illustrated covers.
