Justin Morrow named 2021 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year

MLSsoccer staff

Retiring Toronto FC defender Justin Morrow is the 2021 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, Major League Soccer announced Tuesday.

Morrow has been a game-changer on the field and in the community during his 12-year MLS career with Toronto and San Jose. He was a driving force in launching Black Players for Change (BPC), an organization of more than 170 MLS players, coaches and staff working to bridge the racial equality gap, serving as their Executive Director since inception in 2020.

In Toronto, Morrow supported MLSE Foundation’s Change the Game campaign by raising funds and creating awareness about systemic barriers that prevent youth from reaching their potential. Morrow was integral in working to allocate fundraising dollars to Foundation For Black Communities, Canada’s first-ever philanthropic foundation dedicated to investing in Black communities.

Justin Morrow left an incredible legacy at MLS.
On the field: a champion, a Best XI selection.
Off the field: a humanitarian, executive director of @BPCMLS.
Overall: an incredible person. Congrats, Justin, on winning @MLS’ Humanitarian of the Year Award! pic.twitter.com/5Q7b2cahrr
— Don Garber (@thesoccerdon) November 30, 2021

Morrow is a member of the More Than A Vote coalition, which has taken tangible steps to encourage civic engagement and remove barriers to vote. With Morrow’s leadership, BPC, MLS and the MLS Players Association launched a leaguewide, non-partisan initiative to drive voter registration for players, fans, and club and league personnel in 2020.

The initiative resulted in the closing of league and club offices on Election Day, the opening of various stadiums for in-person voting and the registration of more than 95% of MLS players who were eligible to vote. Over the past year, Morrow has continued his work to improve voter registration numbers among his MLS peers and has taken time to meet with league staff at all levels to discuss the initiatives he and BPC are focused on.

In recognition of Morrow’s humanitarian efforts, MLS WORKS will donate $5,000 to DeRo Foundation.

MLS teams had an opportunity to nominate candidates for the Humanitarian of the Year award, which was voted on by club officials, media and MLS players.