Former national soccer striker Gerd Müller, who died in August, was the first person to be recognized posthumously as a “legend of sport”.
At the 39th German Sports Press Ball in Frankfurt, the former national team colleague Rainer Bonhof accepted the Pegasos Prize on behalf of the family. “There won’t be an enforcer like that anymore. It was important to have Gerd in front because it didn’t matter which opponent it was, he made his goal,” said Bonhof.
Awarded posthumously for the first time
It is the first time in the history of the ball that this award has been given posthumously. The former star of FC Bayern Munich and the German national team died on August 15. The “Legend of Sports” honor has been awarded since 2007.
Previous winners include the biathlon Olympic champions Magdalena Neuner and Laura Dahlmeier, the former Wimbledon winner Boris Becker (tennis), the double Olympic champion Kati Witt (figure skating) as well as football greats such as Franz Beckenbauer, Uwe Seeler, Lothar Matthäus and Joachim Löw.
– .
