11th Annual Pump Foundation Awards - By Nick Hamilton

LOS ANGELES - Under the festive lights of the Red Carpet in Century City, CA athletes, entertainers, and various on-air personalities attended the 11th Annual Harold Pump Foundation Awards on Wednesday night.
The star studded Red Carpet affair was graced by MLB legend Ozzie Smith who stopped by to share his thoughts on the Pump Awards " Its a great cause and what they [Dana & David Pump] are doing. Its a cause that touches all of us at some point and time in our lives, and this is cause we need to get behind and fight until there is a cure". The greatest wide receiver to play the game of football NFL's Jerry Rice talked about recent retired wide receiver Randy Moss being a first ballot hall of famer "I think Randy is about 160 TD's or more and the impact he had on the game, I would say he's a first ballot. I'm also here to support the Pump Foundation, its a great cause to raise money and awareness for a cure for cancer, they've supported me for many years and I just want to give back. Absolutely love David and Dana for they are doing."

NFL great Marcus Allen (photo by EW Gems)

NFL great running back Marcus Allen who talked about his involvement with the Pump Foundation and what that meant to him specifically "I'm to help raise many for the most important cause for cancer research and hopefully will save many, many lives. The Pump Brothers have done a fantastic job in their efforts and you can see the results of it tonight." Allen also spoke of some the NFL running backs he follows "LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, I like them all, but" as he was ready to elaborate boxing great Mike Tyson joked around with Allen as he passed by "I like LaDainian he's a good guy, knows the game, and we're good friends as well".

Many others flooded the Red Carpet such as actor/ director Alfonso Ribeiro, baseball greats Pete Rose, Hall Of Famer Rollie Fingers, Anthony Munoz, Magic Johnson, Access Hollywood's Shaun Robinson, the talented and former Miss America now CEO Kenya Moore, talk show host giant Larry King, Tim Brown, and Los Angeles Sparks star Candace Parker who also spoke on why she attended the Pump Awards "I'm here to lend my support, this is my first year and look forward to being apart of this great foundation for many years to come." She also informed everyone that he rehab assignment is going really well and she looks forward to returning to the court very soon.
Comedian /Actor Alex Thomas stopped by to speak about his involvement with the Pump Foundation " had a great golf tournament and now here at the awards learning how its done, and developing my own foundation. Alex Thomas Foundation and joining the fight against this terrible disease."
Lakers legend and Hall of Famer "Big Game" James Worthy spoke with with me about the importance of him being there for this foundation "I'm here to lend my support, I love what they are doing, the research that's new and cunning edge to defeat cancer for so many people, its a great cause." Worthy also seemed hopeful that fans would have an NBA season next year, however he reminded me that in this business you never know, so we'll just have to wait and see.
Kenny Lofton, David Justice, Entourage's Jeremy Pivens, boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard, NBA player John Wall, top selling author and motivational speaker Ingrid Katal, Hall Of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, "The Playmaker" Michael Irving, Julius "Dr. J" Erving, Jim Brown, reporter Jim Grey, actress Holly Robinson-Peete  was in attendance.

NFL Network Analyst Warren Sapp also stopped by to talk about what it meant to him to see two of his friends and collegues go into the Hall Of Fame in Deion "Primetime" Sanders and Marshall Faulk "its very fulfilling when they recognize a friend(s) and those who you competed against. Its always great to see Deion, another Florida man in there, its a great honor. Deion was an icon, and Marshall was a beast who redefined the position." When I asked Sapp about the Pump Foundation he responded "anytime the Pump brothers ask to me do something, I make sure I'm there, I'll always be available for them, its a great cause."

And speaking with another NFL great Gayle Sayers and listening to how much he embraces and respects the foundation is amazing, " Its great to see how many people have been & will be helped as a result of the Pump brothers and the Pump Foundation, there is no organization like it." Sayers also seemed to be very enthused that NFL is back and the players will return to the field this season.

The gala was lead by master of ceremonies comedian Cedric The Entertainer. Marcus Allen and NBA legend Jerry West were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Also honored were legendary boxer and now promoter Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions, and Best Buy CEO Brian Dunn.

It was great so see so many athletes and celebrities mingle having a great time. Also most importantly come together for a great cause by making such a huge statement by showing up in support of Dana and David Pump for the Pump Foundation. In its 11 years the foundation has raised over $5 million and donates all its funds to the Northridge Hospital Cancer Center.  It was definitely a great night to remember.

For more information on the Harold Pump Foundation visit www.doublepump.com