NBA announcer Ernie Johnson, Jr. to receive 2023 Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- NBA announcer Ernie Johnson, Jr. will return to his hometown of Milwaukee March 3, 2023, to accept the Award of Excellence from the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, according to a press release. 

The release says the 32nd Annual Award of Excellence event at Fiserv Forum will honor Johnson for his efforts to raise cancer awareness. 

"Fiserv Forum offers the perfect stage to honor Ernie," said Peggy Williams, the event's committee co-chair and Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation board member. "Guests will enjoy dinner on the arena floor, cocktails in the Jockey Club and a VIP reception with Ernie in the BMO Club, all for a good cause.”

Tickets to the event are available here. An individual tickets is $300, a table of 10 is $3,000 and a VIP ticket including a meet-and-greet with Johnson in the BMO Club is $600. All tickets include dinner, a Q&A with Johnson, an open bar and complimentary parking. 

All proceeds support the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation's mission in honor of legendary NFL Coach Vince Lombardi, who lost his life to colon cancer at age 57.

The release says if you purchase two tickets or more by Dec. 31 you'll receive a copy of Johnson's book, "Unscripted: The Unpredictable Moments That Made Life Extraordinary" while supplies last. 

Johnson was selected "for his efforts in raising awareness for cancer and spreading good into the world." 

He was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2003 and shared the news with the public in 2006. 

“It’s an honor to be selected for this award,” said Johnson. “Everyone goes through hard things, and I am glad my story can help others overcome their own challenges.”

You can read about all the past winners in the Award of Excellence Hall of Fame.