On Friday, former Minnesota Viking and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump.
It's only fitting the highest civilian honor in the United States would go to a man who achieved greatness in every stage of life.
Justice Page won a college national championship, and an NFL MVP. He would also come to wear a Hall of Fame jacket, and a Minnesota Supreme Court robe. Now he has one more honor to wear around his neck.
"While Alan was still playing for the Vikings, he went to law school and earned a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School," President Donald Trump said on Friday. "In 1993, he became the first African American justice on the Minnesota Supreme Court."
After Justice Page broke that racial barrier, he wanted to make sure he wouldn't be the last. He and his wife, Diane Sims, started the Page Education Foundation to help lift up young students of color. It has now provided scholarships to nearly 7,000 students.
"The United States proudly acknowledges Page's athletic accomplishments and lifetime of public service and philanthropy," said an announcer, as President Trump placed the medal around Page's neck inside the White House.
But on such a memorable day, Justice Page was also thinking of Diane, who died just last month after a battle with cancer.
"It's really not about me. It's about the things that Diane and I have worked to accomplish," Page said. "It's about trying to make this world a better place, and her and my effort to challenge others to be people of good character."
President Trump acknowledged Justice Page's loss during the ceremony.
"Alan, we know that the goodness grace and hope that Diane brought into our world will live on for many generations to come. She is looking down on you right now and she is so proud with love. She is so proud of you."
When he returns to Minnesota next week, Justice Page's first stop on Monday will be at the Justice Alan Page Middle School in Minneapolis, where he intends to share his Medal of Freedom with the students.