Ernie Els has been named as the 12th annual recipient of the Heisman Humanitarian Award from the Heisman Trophy Trust for his efforts in assisting those with autism.
Els, 47, founded Els for Autism in 2009 with his wife after their son, Ben, was diagnosed with autism. Their efforts have since flourished into a 26-acre campus in Jupiter, Fla., and the creation of the Els Center for Excellence in 2015. Els was informed of the award Monday while holding a charity golf tournament to benefit the foundation at Liberty National Golf Club.
"From the beginning our goal has been to create the Center for Excellence, whihc would be an example of what can be available to individuals on the (autism) spectrum," Els said in a statement.