The Butkus Award^®

WINSTON-SALEM – (December 9, 2008) – The 24^th annual Butkus Award® honoring the nation’s top collegiate linebacker was presented today to Aaron Curry from Wake Forest University. In a surprise presentation, Dick Butkus and his son Matt presented the award to Curry who was featured at a media luncheon here.

Curry, a 6’3” 243 lb. senior from E.E. Smith High School Fayetteville, N.C. received 63 total points (14 first place), ahead of Rey Maualuga of USC with 56 points (11 first place), and the 2007 winner James Laurinaitis from Ohio State with 45 points (6 first place). Brian Cushing of USC (27 points) and Mark Herzlich of College (11 points) finished fourth and fifth, respectively. In addition to the top five, Rolando McClain of Alabama, Scott McKillop of Pittsburgh, and Sean Weatherspoon of Missouri all finished with at least one first place vote.

“We asked our selection committee to vote for the top three college football linebackers in the country,” said Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly, who supervised the 51-person selection panel of coaches, scouts, recruiters and journalists. “What ensued was a remarkably close race in which 11 different players received votes, eight receiving first place votes. In the end, a clear winner emerged in Aaron Curry from Wake Forest University.”

Curry finished the 2008 regular season with 101 tackles (63 solo, 15 for loss) for the Demon Deacons. The team is #2 nationwide in takeaways with 35, with Curry credited for three fumble recoveries and an interception. He was named to the all-Atlantic Coast Conference first team at linebacker. The Demon Deacons will play in a school-record third consecutive Bowl game Saturday, December 20 in Washington, DC.

Curry is the fifth linebacker from the Atlantic Coast Conference to win the Butkus Award collegiate trophy. Others were E.J. Henderson of Maryland in 2002, Dan Morgan of Miami in 2000, Marvin Jones of Florida State in 1992, and Paul McGowan of Florida State in 1987.

A Butkus Award reception is planned January 13 in Chicago to honor Wake Forest’s Curry, Punahou High School’s Manti Te’o, and a yet-to-be-named winner of the Butkus Award professional trophy. Ticket and sponsorship information is available at www.thebutkusaward.com

Selection Process Outlined

The Butkus family received the Butkus Award® property earlier this year and called upon Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly to assemble a selection panel. Butkus and Arkush became friends broadcasting NFL games together beginning in 1985.

HONOLULU – (December 5, 2008) – The first-ever Butkus Award® honoring the nation’s top high school linebacker was presented today to Manti Te’o, a senior at Punahou High School. The award was presented in-person by Dick Butkus, the award’s namesake, in a surprise presentation at the school.

Te’o, the heavily recruited star of the state title-contending Punahou team, is considered one of the top high school players in any position by virtually every recruiting and rating organization. He was the “hands down winner,” according to Pro Football Weekly, which supervised the 51-person selection panel of coaches, scouts, recruiters and journalists.

Beyond his accomplishments on the gridiron, Te’o has earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America. He volunteers with charitable organizations, including Special Olympics, Hawaii Food Bank, Punahou Peer Mentoring program, Head Start, and the Hawaii Shriners’ Hospital.

“After meeting Manti in person, I am delighted with his selection and believe he will serve as a tremendous role model for many who follow,” said Butkus, who is considered one of the greatest football players of all time.

Traditionally given only to the top collegiate linebacker, the Butkus Award was expanded to include high school and professional categories this year as part of a makeover by the Butkus family, who received control of the Butkus Award property earlier this year.

Butkus described the award’s purpose: “When a player receives the Butkus Award, he will know two things. First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America. Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand that this recognition brings a responsibility to serve others by giving back.”

The collegiate Butkus Award will be presented next week, and the professional Butkus Award in January. A reception honoring all three winners and promoting Butkus’ I Play Clean™ campaign is planned for January 13 in Butkus’ hometown of Chicago. Tickets and sponsorship information is available at www.thebutkusaward.com

Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive lineman for the University of Southern California’s 1990 Rose Bowl-winning team, and joins his father in philanthropic efforts.

NOTE: Selectors follow all rules of their leagues, and individual votes remain confidential.

CHICAGO – (November 26, 2008) – Finalists were named today for the 24^th Annual Butkus Award® honoring the nation’s top football linebackers.

The 12 collegiate finalists from 10 institutions include last year’s winner James Laurinaitis from Ohio State University. Meanwhile, the first-ever high school category includes 12 candidates from high schools in eight states.

Winners in both categories are expected to be announced the week of December 8, and a professional honoree will be selected in early January. A celebration reception is planned for January 13, 2009 in Chicago with ticket and sponsor information available at www.thebutkusaward.com

Collegiate finalists: Rolando McClain, Alabama; Mark Herzlich, Boston College; Brandon Spikes, Florida; Rennie Curran, Georgia; Perry Riley and Darry Beckwith, LSU, Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri; James Laurinaitis, Ohio State; Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing, USC; Clint Sintim, Virginia; Aaron Curry, Wake Forest.

High school finalists: Nico Johnson, Andalusia High School, Andalusia, Ala.; Tana Patrick, North Jackson High School, Stevenson, Ala., Marquis Simmons, Dominguez High School, Compton, Calif.; Frankie Telfort, Gulliver Prep, Miami, Fla.; Willie Ferrell, FAMU High School, Tallahassee, Fla.; C.J. Mizell, Leon High School, Tallahassee, Fla.; Jarvis Jones, Carver High School, Columbus, Ga.; Kevin Minter, Peachtree Ridge High School, Suwanee, Ga.; Manti Te’o, Punahou High School, Honolulu, Hi.; Jelani Jenkins, Our Lady of Good Counsel, Wheaton, Md., Chris Norman, Renaissance High School, Detroit, Mich.; Dorian Bell, Gateway High School, Monroeville, Pa.

The Butkus Award is selected by a 51-person panel comprised mostly of scouts, coaches and journalists, and coordinated by Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly. Selectors follow all rules of their leagues, including NFL coaches avoiding contact with collegiate candidates, and collegiate coaches avoiding contact and not voting on high school candidates. Individual votes remain completely confidential.

“This Award is about honoring linebackers, and reminding them that they have a responsibility to serve as role models and to give back to society,” said Dick Butkus, the award’s namesake.

Considered one of the greatest football players in history, Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Meanwhile, his son Matt was a defensive lineman for the University of Southern California and joins his father in philanthropic efforts. Butkus wants the Award to draw attention to the I Play Clean™ campaign, which aims to end steroid use in organized sports.

January 13, 2009 - The Butkus Award Presentation, National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame, Chicago

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