Seattle Sounders Named ‘Sports Story of the Year’

The Seattle Sports Commission held their 82nd annual awards ceremony Wednesday evening and the Seattle Sounders Football Club were named the "Sports Story of the Year".

The Sounders dramatic turnaround - surging from nearly the bottom of the table in September to claiming its first MLS Cup trophy two months later - beat out five other northwest-area stories, as nominated by the Sports Star Committee. Sounders forward Jordan Morris was also honored as a nominee for the Male Sports Star of the Year Award, which was won by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner.

SPORTS STORY OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
• WINNER: Sounders FC wins MLS Cup
• University of Washington Women's Basketball reaches Final Four
• University of Washington Women's Golf wins NCAA title
• University of Washington Football makes College Football Playoffs
• Former Mariners outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. enters Baseball Hall of Fame
• Seattle Seahawks win the NFC West title for third time in four years

MALE SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR NOMINEES
• WINNER: Bobby Wagner - Seattle Seahawks
• Jordan Morris - Seattle Sounders FC
• Jake Browning - University of Washington Football
• Nelson Cruz - Seattle Mariners
• Gabe Marks - Washington State Football

Additionally, Kelsey Plum was named the Female Sports Star of the Year after leading the University of Washington basketball team to the Final Four and earning All-American honors last season. The Pac-12's all-time leading scorer currently leads the nation with 30.9 points per game for the eight-ranked Huskies in the 2016-2017 campaign.

Gary Payton, a nine-time NBA All-Star and member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, was honored with the Royal Brougham Award for lifetime achievement for his prolific career with Seattle SuperSonics from 1990-2003.

Rick Rizzs, the longtime Seattle Mariners broadcaster, was the honoree for the Keith Jackson Award, which is given to a member of the media who demonstrated excellence. The Paul Allen Award, which is given to an individual who has made a compelling philanthropic contribution, honored former Seahawks standout Jacob Green, who has been a steadfast leader in the fight against cancer.