Nicklaus Receives Nation's Prestigious Civilian Honor


On Tuesday Jack Nicklaus received the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The 18-time major winner attended the event along with Speaker of the House John Boehner, House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid.

Also on hand were his wife Barbara, five children and 22 grandchildren, members of the Ohio State University marching band, and his good friend and former rival, Arnold Palmer, who received the same honor in 2012.

CBS Sports announcer Jim Nantz handled the introduction. "Thank you, Jack, for being the most prolific winner in the history of the greatest sport of all time," Nantz said, "and for showing us what it looks like when one dedicates a lifetime to service to others and a lifetime to devotion to family. You've let us all see it right up close."

The 75-year-old Nicklaus recognized the efforts of his wife Barbara. "She is responsible for 15 of my major championships," Nicklaus quipped. "I'll give myself three of them."

Nicklaus also joked about playing golf for a living, relating a story that when his son Jack was six, he was asked what his father did. The younger Nicklaus said, "Nothing, he just plays golf."

Other speakers lauded Nicklaus' charitable work, including the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, which recently pledged $60 million to the Miami Children's Health System.

A tearful Nicklaus acknowledged the role his big family had in his Hall of Fame career, saying all he wanted was for them to be proud of him, adding, "Hopefully, I have."