Steve Harvey Honors Everyday People + Breaks Down at Farewell Comedy Show while Talking about God & being an “Imperfect” Christian

By Cheryl Parks/EEW Magazine News Staff

Kirk Franklin and Donnie McClurkin offered up live performances during Steve Harvey’s 10^th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on August 4 in Las Vegas. The premier summer awards event, which drew thousands of African Americans from around the country, honored everyday men and women, making a difference in their communities.

Steve Harvey and wife Marjorie pose on the blue carpet for the 10th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on August 4, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Best Community Leader, Best High School, Best School Teacher, Best High School Coach, Best Church, Best Church Choir, Best Soul Food Place, Best BBQ Restaurant, Best Barbershop, Best Beauty Salon, Best Nail Shop and Best Car Wash/Detail Shop, are among the categories recognized. More than 30 celebrity presenters handed out awards to the winners to show appreciation.  

Kirk Franklin performs onstage during the 10th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on August 4, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

First Baptist Church of Glenarden, headed up by Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. won the Hoodie Award for Best Church for the third consecutive year. “We are deeply humbled and honored by this distinction. Thanks to everyone who voted!” said a church spokesperson via Facebook.

Donnie McClurkin performs onstage during the 10th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on August 4, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"The Hoodie Awards is an awards show for everyday men and women, honoring them as the real stars of their neighborhoods for their beliefs, courage and commitment to pursing their dream and serving their fellow neighbors and youth," said Steve Harvey, who has been in the headlines for his decision to retire from comedy.

After 27 years in the business, he tearfully said goodbye to stand-up comedy Thursday at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Garden Arena. “God has given me a life far beyond anything I ever dreamed about. God is…man… God is something else, man,” he told the audience as they applauded the emotional comedian.

Steve Harvey has an emotional breakdown during his closing remarks at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Hotel & Casino Garden Arena on August 2, 2012. The sold-out show aired live on Pay-per-view.

Harvey drew raucous laughter from the crowd at the sold-out grand stand-up finale comedy show at the venue, which has a maximum capacity of nearly 17,000. The performance aired live on Pay-Per-View.

The host of Family Feud and The Steve Harvey Morning Show was named last month as a 2013 Hollywood Walk of Fame honoree for radio. But his professional roles were not the only ones that weighed heavily on Harvey’s mind as he bid adieu to one aspect of his multi-faceted career. The “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man” author and executive producer of the movie adaptation, talked about the role of faith in his life, while admitting he is a flawed individual.

“I’m not a perfect Christian, you dig?” he confessed then elaborated. “God has positioned me just this way, to be just like I am, to say what I say, how I say it and I am just a living witness that you can be imperfect and still be in the army fighting for God almighty. Don’t you think you got to be perfect ‘cause I ain’t!”

During his comedy set, Harvey addressed those who question the authenticity of his Christianity because of his frequent use of profanity. In response to them, the comic said he has tried to stop cursing, but vulgarity seems to be a more effective form of expression, noting that substitute words don't work for him.  

“27 years is a long time to do something you love to do. Bishop Jakes, T.D. Jakes told me, heard him in a sermon one time say, ‘I would hate to die and never do the thing I was born to do. Man, God let me do it.”

When he first stood behind the mic to say goodbye, for a few moments, Harvey was so overcome with emotion, he was unable to speak. He just stood their clenching the microphone and crying.

Watch the emotionally charged goodbye below:

On September 4th, Steve Harvey makes his debut on daytime television.