NBA champion LeBron James, Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes and Japan's Naomi Osaka were among five athletes honored Sunday by Sports Illustrated magazine for their off-field activism.

SI's annual Sportsperson of the Year was The Activist Athlete and paid tribute to off-field activities by James, Osaka,&nbsp;Mahomes and his NFL teammate Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Women's NBA champion Breanna Stewart.

The magazine cited "five men and women who in 2020 were champions in every sense of the word: champions on the field, champions for others off it."

James sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA title, capturing the fourth of his career, and became the first three-time winner of the SI sportsperson award after 2012 and 2016, having previously matched the two Sportsperson awards given golfer Tiger Woods in 1996 and 2000.

"With his efforts for racial justice, education reform and Black community empowerment as well as his voting rights campaign and varied charitable work, there is no doubt that he sets the standard for the modern socially conscious athlete," SI said of James, who was also awarded the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award for his career dedication to public service.

James spoke out on police brutality, racial inequality and championed a voter registration program, More Than A Vote, that helped sign up more than 10,000 poll workers as well as register voters in combating voter suppression.

Osaka won her third Grand Slam tennis title at this year's US Open. She took part in Black Lives Matter protests this year following the death of George Floyd and wore black masks during her US Open run, each with the name of an African-American killed by police.

Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Mahomes sparked the Kansas City Chiefs to the Super Bowl crown, pushed the NFL to recognize the Black Lives Matter movement and backed the right of NFL players to conduct social protests.

Duvernay-Tardif, the starting right offensive guard for the Chiefs but also a doctor, gave up his NFL uniform for doctor's protective personal equipment when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, joining the front line of a battle for people's lives.

Stewart supported Black Lives Matter from the start of the Women's NBA bubble to the finish, when she helped the Seattle Storm claim a fourth title and winning WNBA Finals MVP honors after recovering from an Achilles injury.

"If there is brightness in this dark year, it's the leadership -- and sorely needed optimism -- shown by some of our nation's top athletes in facing down our many challenges," SI wrote in announcing the winners.

"The issues and challenges of 2020 will no doubt still be there in 2021 and beyond. But our Sportspersons of the Year set an example of how to face and one day fix them. With principle. With passion. And with an athlete's optimism -- the belief that no matter the obstacles, better days are ahead."

NBA champion LeBron James, Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes and Japan's Naomi Osaka were among five athletes honored Sunday by Sports Illustrated magazine for their off-field activism.

NBA champion LeBron James, Super Bowl winner Patrick Mahomes and Japan's Naomi Osaka were among five athletes honored Sunday by Sports Illustrated magazine for their off-field activism. SI's annual Sportsperson of the Year was The Activist Athlete and paid tribute to off-field activities by James, Osaka, Mahomes and his NFL teammate Laurent Duvernay-Tardif and Women's NBA champion Breanna Stewart. The magazine cited "five men and women who in 2020 were champions in every sense of the word: champions on the field, champions for others off it." James sparked the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA title, capturing the fourth of his career, and became the first three-time winner of the SI sportsperson award after 2012 and 2016, having previously matched the two Sportsperson awards given golfer Tiger Woods in 1996 and 2000. "With his efforts for racial justice, education reform and Black community empowerment as well as his voting rights campaign and varied charitable work, there is no doubt that he sets the standard for the modern socially conscious athlete," SI said of James, who was also awarded the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award for his career dedication to public service. James spoke out on police brutality, racial inequality and championed a voter registration program, More Than A Vote, that helped sign up more than 10,000 poll workers as well as register voters in combating voter suppression. Osaka won her third Grand Slam tennis title at this year's US Open. She took part in Black Lives Matter protests this year following the death of George Floyd and wore black masks during her US Open run, each with the name of an African-American killed by police. Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Mahomes sparked the Kansas City Chiefs to the Super Bowl crown, pushed the NFL to recognize the Black Lives Matter movement and backed the right of NFL players to conduct social protests. Duvernay-Tardif, the starting right offensive guard for the Chiefs but also a doctor, gave up his NFL uniform for doctor's protective personal equipment when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, joining the front line of a battle for people's lives. Stewart supported Black Lives Matter from the start of the Women's NBA bubble to the finish, when she helped the Seattle Storm claim a fourth title and winning WNBA Finals MVP honors after recovering from an Achilles injury. "If there is brightness in this dark year, it's the leadership -- and sorely needed optimism -- shown by some of our nation's top athletes in facing down our many challenges," SI wrote in announcing the winners. "The issues and challenges of 2020 will no doubt still be there in 2021 and beyond. But our Sportspersons of the Year set an example of how to face and one day fix them. With principle. With passion. And with an athlete's optimism -- the belief that no matter the obstacles, better days are ahead."

LeBron, Osaka, Mahomes among SI Sportspersons of the Year

Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap in Wankhede after 2011 ICC World Cup win has been awarded the prestigious Laureus Award. After ICC World Cup final win, Tendulkar was carried on the shoulders of his teammates.

Sachin Tendulkar's famous lap in Wankhede after 2011 ICC World Cup win has been awarded the prestigious Laureus Award. After ICC World Cup final win, Tendulkar was carried on the shoulders of his teammates. Virat (who was among those who carried Tendulkar), had said that "Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years; It was time we carried him." Also read: Let's all come together and vote for Sachin Tendulkar: Virat Kohli appeals to fans ahead of Laureus Sports Award The moment that had been nominated by the Laureus Sports Foundation was called "Carried On the Shoulder Of A Nation". The foundation launched this category for public voting, and Sachin Tendulkar got the most votes. 🔈 Sound on 🔈 A powerful, strong and moving tribute to a room full of sporting legends from @sachin_rt in honour of Nelson Mandela and the incredible power of sport to unite and inspire 👏#Laureus20 #SportUnitesUs pic.twitter.com/0z3mNatUFh — Laureus (@LaureusSport) February 17, 2020 × The Laureus Sporting Moment Award is for the moments when sports has been a reason for the unification of people. ICC World Cup 2011 was Tendulkar's sixth attempt since 1983, after the win players Sachin Tendulkar had been a key player for the Indian cricket team during his tenure for the Men in Blue (1989-2013) scoring 34,357 runs across all formats. He recently was a part of the 'Bushfire cricket Bash', where he coached Pontings' XI, and also played an over bowled by Ellyse Perry. Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi jointly won the Sportsman of the Year award, whereas, American Gymnast Simone Biles won the Sportswoman of the Year award. List of winners: Sportsman of the Year: Lewis Hamilton and Lionel Messi Sportswoman of the Year: Simone Biles Team of the Year: South Africa Men's Rugby Team Breakthrough of the Year: Egan Bernal Comeback of the Year: Sophia Floersch Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Oksana Masters Action Sportsperson of the Year: Chloe Kim Best Sporting Moment: 'Carried on the shoulders of a nation' – Sachin Tendulkar Lifetime Achievement Award: Dirk Nowitzki Laureus Academy Exceptional Achievement Award: Spanish Basketball Federation Laureus Sport for Good Award: South Bronx United

Sachin Tendulkar wins Laureus Award for Sporting Moment for his 2011 World Cup victory lap

Lewis Hamilton, Lionel Messi, Simon Biles score big at Laureus Awards, here's the list of winners!