Jack Grealish Honored with Herman Ouseley Award for Disability Advocacy

Kick It Out recently announced that Jack Grealish has been honored with the Herman Ouseley Award for his unwavering commitment to advocating for disability inclusion. The organization highlighted Grealish’s efforts in amplifying the voices of disabled individuals and sharing their experiences. His initiatives, ranging from discussing his family’s challenges to celebrating Manchester City fan Finley, who has cerebral palsy, demonstrate his dedication to creating a more inclusive environment in sports. Additionally, as an Ambassador for the Special Olympics, Grealish continues to promote accessibility in athletics.

Grealish shares a close bond with his younger sister, Hollie, who also has cerebral palsy. In a 2022 interview, he referred to her as his “best friend,” and in a subsequent social media video, he expressed pride in Hollie’s progress despite early medical predictions that she would face significant challenges. “I love her so much, and I think I’m a good big brother to her,” he stated, emphasizing their strong relationship.

Winning the Herman Ouseley Award is particularly meaningful for Grealish due to his sister’s condition. He remarked, “It’s massive to win this. Everyone knows what I try and do off the pitch. It’s very close to home, my little sister being disabled and having cerebral palsy, so winning awards like this is always special.”

Samuel Okafor, chief executive of Kick It Out, commended Grealish for his efforts, stating, “For those who knew Lord Herman Ouseley, he was all about making the game and sport more inclusive and welcoming for everybody from all communities. We’re delighted to give Jack the award for the way he uses his platform to raise awareness around disability and the way he embraces fans. A huge congratulations to Jack.”

On the field, Grealish is experiencing a resurgence in form this season after joining Everton on loan from Manchester City. The 30-year-old has already contributed five goals and assists in ten Premier League appearances, a marked improvement compared to last season. His standout performance earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for August 2025, marking the first time he has received such an accolade.

Although it has been a year since Grealish last featured in an England squad, maintaining his current form could secure him a spot for the 2026 World Cup in North America. He previously represented England at Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup but was not selected for Euro 2024.

Grealish faces stiff competition for a place in the national team, with talented players like Eberechi Eze, Jarrod Bowen, Marcus Rashford, and Morgan Rogers all vying for similar roles.

At the club level, Grealish’s prospects look promising as he aims to continue his career at Everton beyond this season. The Toffees reportedly have a £50 million option to make his loan permanent, although negotiations may yield a more favorable deal.

With Grealish orchestrating play and Everton now under the management of David Moyes, the club is poised to aim for a top-half finish in the Premier League for the first time since the 2020-21 season.