Sports Illustrated’s 2022 Sportsperson of the Year Awards: Sights and Sounds

An inside look at the special night in the Bay Area.

The annual Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year Awards took place on Thursday night in San Francisco to honor SI’s choices for the most impactful figures in sports in 2022. 

Warriors guard Stephen Curry was named SI’s 2022 Sportsperson of the Year on the heels of his fourth championship with Golden State in the last in eight years. Within the last year, he also graduated from Davidson College, broadened his charitable reach, supplied financial support for the men’s and women’s golf teams at Howard University and started the Underrated Golf Tour.

Congrats to Stephen Curry on being Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year! Get the 2022 Sportsperson of the Year issue here.

“So many amazing men and women from all worlds of sports that changed their game, their world and changed it ways that will live on forever,” Curry said in his acceptance speech. “I couldn’t be more humbled and honored to represent all of the people that have been a part of my story.” 

"I couldn't be more humbled and honored to represent all of the people that have been a part of my story."@StephenCurry30 accomplished it all—and more—in 2022, reminding the world how to be a winner.

Watch his full SI Sportsperson of the Year speech: https://t.co/8bm7dRbIdw pic.twitter.com/SZh2OHS2Ye

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 9, 2022

American sprinter Allyson Felix won SI’s Muhammad Ali Legacy Award for 2022 after finishing her career at the Tokyo Olympics last summer. Off the track, Felix has become an advocate for athlete mothers, which included pushing Nike to announce a new maternity policy that includes 18 months of pay for sponsored athletes who have children.

“Throughout my career, I’ve won medals. But this award, named after one of my heroes—Muhammad Ali—stands for something so much bigger,” Felix said during her acceptance speech. 

"I've won medals. ... But this award, named after one of my heroes—Muhammad Ali—stands for something so much bigger."@allysonfelix's tireless work and fearless advocacy for athlete mothers is why she is the 2022 Muhammad Ali Legacy Award winner: https://t.co/B3PFAb3SXM pic.twitter.com/LpZRdOtTGS

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 9, 2022

Other award winners and attendees included Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr., who won SI’s Inspiration of the Year, and Oklahoma softball star Jocelyn Alo, who won SI’s Athlete of the Year. 

Here are more of the sights and sounds from the 2022 Sportsperson of the Year Awards.

Stephen Curry, SI’s 2022 Sportsperson of the Year

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) opened his speech at the 2022 SI Sportsperson of the Year Awards by expressing his thoughts on Brittney Griner’s return home:

“We are glad she’s home, we’re glad she’s reunited with her family.” https://t.co/FtAly07gB4 pic.twitter.com/GpgbO785py

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 9, 2022

“Shoutout to President Biden and his administration, and all the athletes, activists, people who used their platform to speak on her behalf.”

Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) shared his thoughts about Brittney Griner’s release from Russia ahead of the #SIAwards pic.twitter.com/23sUHB3XK4

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 9, 2022

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Allyson Felix, SI’s 2022 Muhammad Ali Legacy Award Winner

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Jocelyn Alo, SI’s 2022 Athlete of the Year 

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Brian Robinson Jr., SI’s Inspiration of the Year

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Dieter Cantu, 2022 Rebook Human Rights Award Winner

Congrats to @Dieter_Cantu on receiving the 2022 @reebok Human Rights Award!

“This award means that a child with a dream prevailed and was strong enough to defy the odds. When you lead with compassion, trust the process, and practice humility, you cannot be defeated” pic.twitter.com/sUYdujLW2W

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 9, 2022

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Carter Bonas, SI’s 2022 SportsKid of the Year

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated

Kimberly White/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated