Sir Bobby Charlton has been honoured with the 2008 BBC Sports Personality's Lifetime Achievement award.
Charlton, 71, helped England to World Cup success in 1966 and then led Manchester United to European Cup glory in 1968, scoring twice in the final.
The award, which recognises Sir Bobby's 50 years dedicated to football, was presented to him by brother Jack.
Sir Bobby, who is England's all-time leading scorer with 49 goals, said: "I am absolutely knocked out with this."
Charlton, who received a standing ovation from the 9,000-capacity audience inside the Liverpool Echo Arena, added: "I was fortunate enough to be good at the game of football.
"It was easy for me and I couldn't understand it when people couldn't play the game.
"I hoped that one day I would play for a League club and England and I achieved my goals.
606: DEBATE"There are players here from the United team of 1968 and the World Cup team of 1966 which is in our history. If I played a little part in it then I am very grateful.
"All the yachtsmen, cyclists and athletes here are fantastic and marvellous and it is great for their future that there are events like this where all these young people can be recognised."
Charlton also scored 249 goals for Manchester United in 758 appearances during a club career that spanned from 1953 to 1973.
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Previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement award include Sir Bobby Robson (2007), Bjorn Borg (2006), Pele (2005), Sir Ian Botham (2004), Martina Navratilova (2003), George Best (2002) and Sir Alex Ferguson (2001).
The Lifetime Achievement award celebrates those who have made a significant contribution to sport and demonstrable success in their relevant sport throughout their careers. The award is the gift of the BBC.
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