12th Annual Harold Pump Foundation Gala

Story by L.T.Willis  

Joe Namath. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Sandy Koufax. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Julius Erving & Wife.
Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                 

Some of the greatest sports figures in professional sports were being honor at The 12th annual Harold Pump Foundation Gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on the Avenue of Stars in Los Angeles. Sandy Koufax, Julius Erving and Joe Namath were the guest of honor as some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment came out to this amazing event, raising funds too fight cancer. 1972 Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax was one of the best pitchers the Los Angeles Dodgers ever had, while Julius "Dr. J" Erving help lead the Philadelphia 76'ers to a NBA Title in the 1983. Joe " Broadway" Namath told the world that the New York Jets were going to beat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III in 1969. Joe Namath was inducted into The Hall of Fame in 1985 and Julius Erving in 1993.

Former NBA player John Salley was the Master of Ceremonies
for the 12th Annual Harold Pump Foundation Gala. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Each year The Harold Pump Foundation assembles some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment as this year mega guest list James Lofton, Warren Moon, Steve Garvey, Dave Winfield, Jerome Bettis, Actors Billy Bob Thornton and Anthony Anderson, Eric Karros, Barry Bonds, Jalen Rose, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Marshal Faulk, Kenny Smith, Isiah Thomas and Eric Dickerson, Reggie Jackson, and Gale Sayers just to mane a few.

Barry Bond & Marquis Johnson. Photo
by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports

Actor Billy Bob Thornton. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G. Sports.

Former NBA superstar of The Los Angeles Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who you rarely see in public was in attendance and having a big smile on his face paying tribute to another NBA superstar who was being honor tonight Julius Erving, as well as Sandy Koufax and Joe Namath. Honoring these great men who are the ambassadors for their sports have earn the rights to be name some of the greatest players that ever played their sports.

Former Los Angeles Lakers' Kareem
Abdul-Jabbar. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

2 Time NBA Champ from the Detroit
Pistons Isiah Thomas. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Actor Anthony Anderson. Photo by
Eric Wade/ T.G.Sports.

All these big names assemble under one roof having a great time raising money for cancer, being humble in the spot light sharing short stories with the media, giving great interviews, and showing that even mega sports and entertainment superstars do have a great sense of humor and that they are down to earth people who enjoy sharing a few laughs among other superstars and having fun with the media.

Steve Garvey. Photo by
Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Super Bowl XL Champ Jerome Bettis from the Pittsburgh
Steelers. Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

Now what would the 12th Annual Harold Pump Foundation Gala be without having another football Super Bowl Champion in attendance than Super Bowl XL Champion Jerome Bettis from The Pittsburgh Steelers, and a former Los Angeles Dodgers Steve Garvey. This event in this writer's mind is The Hall of Fame of Charitable Events, and year after year bring out the biggest names in sports and entertainment.

                                                                   

Former Los Angeles Dodgers Manager
Joe Torre. Photo by Eric Wade/
T.G.Sports.

Baseball 2001 Hall of Famer Dave Winfield
Photo by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports.

This event would not be possible if not for the Harold Pump Foundation, CMPR Crimson Marketing and Public Relations. Special thanks to Michael Semanoff, Chris Stolle and John Swidzinski and the rest of the CMPR Team for each year making this a first class event. All Photos are by Eric Wade/T.G.Sports and EW Gems Images. There are more photos from the this event at T.G.Sports website www.tgsportstv.com, click on photo gallery and scroll down to the 2012 Harold Pump Gala