WASHINGTON -- Saying they had touched him in a powerful and personal way, President Barack Obama awarded the nations highest civilian honor to 21 groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and others during a ceremony on Tuesday at the White House.These are folks who have helped make me who I am, Obama said as the celebration concluded in the White House East Room.The awards had a major sports component, with Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Vin Scully among those recognized with the highest American civilian honor.That led to plenty of sports moments at Tuesdays ceremony, including Obama noting that MJ is more than just a logo. Hes more than just an internet meme. Fittingly, Jordan was crying as Obama made the comment.There is a reason you call somebody the Michael Jordan of, Obama said. The Michael Jordan of neurosurgery or the Michael Jordan of rabbis or the Michael Jordan of outrigger canoeing. Everyone knows what youre talking about.The president also had an eloquent description of Scully, saying, You hear the crack of the bat. Youve got the crowd singing in the seventh-inning stretch. And youve got the voice of Vin Scully.Among those also getting the Presidential Medal of Freedom were actors Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson.Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross were recognized for their music.Other honorees included philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates and comedian Ellen DeGeneres.Obama said the people receiving the medal helped push America forward and inspired millions around the world.?The White House said the president and his staff spend time considering a variety of candidates for the award, but ultimately, its the presidents decision.The award recognizes especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to its culture or to other significant endeavors.Posthumous honors went to Native American advocate Elouise Cobell and Rear Adm. Grace Hopper.Others receiving the award included: Richard Garwin, an inventor and polymath physicist who made pioneering contributions to the nations defense; Frank Gehry, one of the worlds leading architects; Margaret H. Hamilton, a mathematician and computer scientist; Maya Lin, the designer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; Lorne Michaels, producer of Saturday Night Live; Newton Minow, a former Federal Communications Commission chairman devoted to numerous public and charitable causes; and Eduardo Padron, president of Miami Dade College.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Art Monk Jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. Earnest Byner Redskins Jersey . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. https://www.redskinssportsgoods.com/Womens-Charles-Mann-Inverted-Jersey/ .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Joe Theismann Jersey .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Art Monk Redskins Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- What Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen had called "a big piece of the puzzle" fell into place Monday when the club signed goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a two-year contract extension. The 24-year-old Russian, recipient of the Vezina Trophy as the NHLs top goalie this past season, could have become a restricted free agent this week. The deal carries an average annual value of $5.625 million. Bobrovsky was paid $1.750 million last season. His representative, Paul Theofanous, was not immediately available. "Im very happy to be a Columbus Blue Jacket," Bobrovsky said. "My wife (Olga) and I really like Columbus and the fans have been very nice to us and supportive of our team. Im looking forward to the season and working with my teammates to help us to our goal of winning a Stanley Cup." Kekalainen called the re-siggning of Bobrovsky his top objective but had made little headway until just before the start of Sundays NHL draft.dddddddddddd Acquired from Philadelphia for draft picks last summer, Bobrovsky blossomed in Columbus. He had a 21-11-6 record with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .932 save percentage and four shutouts. His stellar play fueled the Blue Jackets 19-5-5 finish that brought them within a tiebreaker of making the playoffs. "Re-signing Sergei Bobrovsky was a top priority for our organization," Kekalainen said. "He was a big part of the progress we made last season and we expect him to play an important role in the growth of our team." A native of Novokuznetsk, Russia, he was acquired by the Blue Jackets from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for second- and fourth-round picks in the 2012 draft and a fourth-round pick in yesterdays draft. ' ' '