Hollingshead - MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, Presented by AdvoCare

FC Dallas Midfielder Ryan Hollingshead Named MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, Presented by AdvoCare




Hollingshead risked career and life to help stranger in need


NEW YORK
– (November 2, 2017) Major League Soccer has named FC Dallas midfielder Ryan Hollingshead as the 2017 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, presented by AdvoCare.




The 26-year-old put his career and his life on the line to help a stranger in need. On January 6, an icy night in Irving, Texas, Hollingshead was en route to help a friend who had been in a car accident when he drove by the site of a separate accident. A car had hit the highway median and the passenger was left stranded in the fast lane at dusk without headlights. Hollingshead pulled over and got out of his car to offer assistance, when he was thrown 30 feet after being struck by an oncoming automobile, breaking three vertebrae in his neck. One hundred and twenty-eight days later, Hollingshead ran onto the field at Toyota Stadium as a second half substitute for FC Dallas and received a standing ovation as he helped his team secure a 1-1 result against NYCFC. He finished the season with 19 appearances for FC Dallas, including nine starts.




“Our clubs, partners and supporters are committed to making a difference in our communities and we’re proud to have players across the League who play such a vital role in those efforts,” said JoAnn Neale, Chief Administrative and Social Responsibility Officer, Major League Soccer. “Ryan’s selfless act exemplifies a true humanitarian. As the 2017 MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year, it is an honor to recognize that type of sacrifice and dedication to the Dallas community.”




Hollingshead was selected by FC Dallas with the 20
^th
(2
^nd
round) overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Despite being drafted, the PAC-12 Player of the Year and UCLA captain decided to fulfill a promise to his brother Scott to help build a church, the Harvest Bible Chapel in his native city of Sacramento instead of joining FC Dallas.
After a year away from the game, Hollingshead joined FC Dallas and made his professional debut on May 31, 2014, appearing in 11 MLS matches that season. Hollingshead had a breakout season in 2015 and saw continued success the following year appearing in 62 regular season matches for FC Dallas during that two-year span.




The California native is very active in his community and church.  Since joining FC Dallas, Hollingshead has worked with the
Jessie Rees Foundation, Never Ever Give Up
visiting patients at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas to offer his support and motivation through his faith and the game of soccer. Additionally, Hollingshead regularly speaks to the Student Ministry at Frisco Bible Church and volunteers at The Village Church men’s and children’s bible study groups.




"On behalf of AdvoCare, I am excited to congratulate Ryan Hollingshead, midfielder for FC Dallas, for being named this year's MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year," says Allison Levy, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer for AdvoCare. "AdvoCare was founded on the principle of being advocates who care and strongly believes in taking the initiative to give back. We are proud to partner with MLS WORKS to present this special honor to Ryan who has gone above and beyond in exemplifying these qualities."




In recognition of Hollingshead’s humanitarian efforts, MLS WORKS will donate $5,000 to the charity of his choice. Hollingshead will participate in a Facebook Live (
Facebook.com/FCDallas
) today at 1 p.m. ET.




MLS teams had an opportunity to nominate candidates for the Humanitarian of the Year award (
view all nominees
), which was voted on by club officials, media and MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting for the highest scoring candidates:

MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year Winners:

• 2017: Ryan Hollingshead (FC Dallas)
  
• 2016: Matt Lampson (Chicago Fire)
  
• 2015: Kei Kamara (Columbus Crew SC)
  
• 2014: AJ DeLaGarza (LA Galaxy)
  
• 2013: Matt Reis (New England Revolution)
  
• 2012: Chris Seitz (FC Dallas)
  
• 2011: Zak Boggs (New England Revolution)
  
• 2010: Seth Stammler (New York Red Bulls)
  
• 2009: Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards); Logan Pause (Chicago Fire)
  
• 2008: Jose Burciaga Jr. (Colorado Rapids)
  
• 2007: Diego Gutierrez (Chicago Fire)
  
• 2006: Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution)
  
• 2005: Brian Kamler (Real Salt Lake)
  
• 2004: Chris Henderson (Colorado Rapids)
  
• 2003: Ben Olsen (D.C. United)
  
• 2002: Steve Jolley (MetroStars)
  
• 2001: Tim Howard (MetroStars)
  
• 2000: Abdul Thompson Conteh (San Jose Earthquakes)
  

About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features 22 clubs throughout the United States and Canada. For more information about MLS, visit
www.MLSsoccer.com
.
About MLS WORKS
MLS WORKS, Major League Soccer's community outreach initiative is dedicated to addressing important social issues and serves as a platform for League and club philanthropic programs. MLS WORKS seeks to establish Major League Soccer as a leader for improving the lives of people through sport. For more information on MLS WORKS initiatives and charitable partners, please visit the MLS WORKS website (www.MLSsoccer.com/mls-works) and follow us on Twitter & Instagram @MLSWORKS.




About AdvoCare
At AdvoCare, We Build Champions® through physical and financial wellness. Backed by the most credible scientific research and internationally recognized Scientific and Medical Advisory Board, AdvoCare offers premium nutritional, weight-management and sports-performance products. In addition, AdvoCare empowers Independent Distributors with an industry-leading business opportunity and world-class training and business tools. AdvoCare is a family-owned company founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Plano, Texas. For more information about AdvoCare visit www.advocare.com. Be sure to like us on www.facebook.com/advocare and follow us on Twitter - @AdvoCare.