NewsAffeldt a nominee for Jefferson Awards
Giants pitcher active in the 'Not For Sale' organizationMLB.com
10/21/09 6:40 PM ET
Giants pitcher Jeremy Affeldt is among 53 professional athletes who have been nominated for the Jefferson Awards for Public Service.The award is being made in conjunction with the All Stars Helping Kids charity founded by NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott.
"One thing these nominees have in common is a passion for looking beyond their sport," Lott said. "They're stretching themselves -- driven to succeed in their community as well as in competition."
Affeldt is active in the "Not For Sale" organization, which works to stop human trafficking. Before the 2009 season, Affeldt and his wife, Larisa, met with professors and staff members at the University of San Francisco to discuss their efforts to help eliminate human trafficking.
Affeldt, who has been in the Major Leagues for eight seasons, with last year being his first with the Giants, also has met with Bay Area high school students to talk about human rights.
Until Nov. 15, the public can vote on the 53 nominees at the All Stars Helping Kids Web site: allstarshelpingkids.org. From that group, five finalists will be chosen in each of two categories: Outstanding Athlete in Service and Outstanding Athlete as a Newcomer in Service. One athlete in each category will be awarded a national Jefferson Award for Public Service next June.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
