KTVB - Justin Corr

BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 24, 2006 -- The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday that Pro Football Hall of Fame member and former Oklahoma Congressman Steve Largent, National Baseball Hall of Fame member Harmon Killebrew, and Steve Smith, an Olympic gold medalist and NBA World Champion, will be enshrined on November 30 at its annual induction ceremonies in Boise, Idaho.

The Humanitarian Hall of Fame annually inducts individuals who are world-class in athletic ability, role models in their community and have a strong record of humanitarian efforts.

Largent, a Pro Football Hall of Fame member who set six career records and earned seven trips to the Pro Bowl during a 14-year career with the Seattle Seahawks, is being honored for over three decades of community achievement -- spanning an NFL career, public service in the United States Congress (R-OK) and life in the private sector. 

Killebrew, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame who is regarded as one of the most prolific power hitters in Major League Baseball history, is being honored for his commitment to help fund Leukemia research through Idaho’s Danny Thompson Memorial Golf Tournament, along with his work as a spokesperson for the World Children’s Baseball Fair and his founding of the Harmon Killebrew Foundation, which is committed to aiding research for pain relief and care management for the terminally ill.

During a 22-year career with the Washington Senators, Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals, the Payette, Idaho native was named an American League All-Star 13 times, the 1969 American League Most Valuable Player, and was a six-time American League home run leader where he is currently eighth on the all-time list with 573 round-trippers.  He led the twins to the 1965 World Series and 1969 and 1970 ALCS.

Detroit, Michigan native Steve Smith is being recognized for his $2.5 million in contribution to Michigan State University that helped to construct a student-athlete academic center named for his late-mother, Clara Bell Smith. In 2001, Smith contributed an additional $600,000 to fully endow an annual Michigan State University scholarship for high-achieving students from Detroit’s Pershing High School, which he attended.

After a highly successful collegiate basketball career as the Spartans’ all-time leading scorer with 2,263 points and receiving First Team All-American honors, Smith was selected by the Miami Heat as fifth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.  Smith went on to play with six NBA teams winning the 2003 NBA World Championship with the San Antonio Spurs and helped the United States win the Olympic gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. He is currently a color commentator for Atlanta Hawks games on FSN.

The Humanitarian Hall of Fame, located on the Boise State University campus, annually inducts individuals who are world-class in athletic ability, role models in their community and have a strong record of humanitarian efforts.  Since President Gerald R. Ford served as its first honorary chairman in 1994 over 30 sports-humanitarians have been enshrined including tennis great Arthur Ashe, major league baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, NFL coaching legend Tom Landry, the NBA’s David Robinson, and soccer great Pelé.

About The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame

The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, located on the Boise State University campus in Boise, Idaho, recognizes individuals and organizations from the world of amateur and professional athletics who, through their humanitarian efforts, distinguish themselves as role models in the community.