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Ted Hendricks Award | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Phil Steele is very proud to be a participant on the voting committee for the Ted Hendricks Award. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Chris Long of the University of Virginia is this year’s winner. Long claimed more than 60% of the final-round votes a new record for the Hendricks Award. The Atlantic Coast Conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, Chris Long led the ACC and was third in the NCAA FBS in sacks (14.0). This sack total equaled or surpassed the total recorded by 12 NCAA teams. Long also led his conference with 19.0 tackles-for-loss (tied for 8th in NCAA). One-quarter of Long’s 75 tackles this season were made behind the line of scrimmage. Long’s accolades this season include: At Virginia, Long has been a two-time team captain. He is perhaps best known for his high-energy, relentless play on the field, which often wears down his opponents. His career totals include 22 sacks, 43 tackles-for-loss, 15 passes broken up, 69 QB hurries and 183 tackles. In his final regular season home game, the University of Virginia paid tribute to Chris by retiring his #91 jersey. Prior to his Cavalier career, Long was a four-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football and lacrosse) at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, VA, where he excelled as a lineman on both offense and defense. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chris Long of the University of Virginia is 2007's winner. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BIO/STATS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, this multi-sport athlete excelled at track, basketball, baseball and football at Hialeah High School in Florida. A three time All America choice at defensive end for the University of Miami Hurricanes, Ted Hendricks is considered the prototype linebacker of the NFL. Selected in the second round of the 1969 draft by head coach Don Shula and the Baltimore Colts, he was starting at right linebacker by mid season. In 1971 he played a key role in Super Bowl V for the victorious Colts. One All-Pro year in Green Bay and his career changed. In 1975, Al Davis brought Hendricks to the Raiders. "Ted was a great natural athlete, an intense competitor. Once a game started, he went like gangbusters. Great players make great plays and I can't think of any defensive player who made more big plays for us than Ted Hendricks," says coach John Madden. Many of those big plays changed the course of games and helped the Raiders to three Super Bowl victories. Ted was noted as being a strong, fast and devastating tackler. His 6'7" frame and wide ranging arms led his teammates at the University of Miami to add the moniker "the Mad Stork" to his identity. He dominated offensive backfields at will with the skill, determination and courage of a warrior. During his long and distinguished NFL career Ted was known for his all out style of defensive play; a style that was grounded in powerful athletic ability as well as an intellectual understanding of the game. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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He was not only one of the best, he was awesomely durable: he played in 215 straight games until his retirement in 1983. His last start was in his last game - Super Bowl XVIII. A fitting end to an outstanding career. Peers and coaches alike have recognized his expertise and love of the game; and in recognition of the dominance he maintained on the field, Ted Hendricks was enshrined into the National Football League Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on August 4, 1990. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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AWARD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This award is named in honor of University of Miami three-time Collegiate All-American and NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks (hey, that's me!). If you would like to become a sponsor of this event, check out the Foundation page for more information. On-field performance, leadership abilities and contributions to school and community are some of the criteria used to determine the award winner. The candidates may represent any class (freshman through senior) as well as any recognized four-year NCAA member school (Division I through Division III). Leading college coaches, former players and coaches, media members and pro football personnel professionals vote in the selection process. Former Hendricks Award winners: LaMarr Woodley, Michigan (2006), Elvis Dumerville, University of Louisville (2005) David Pollack, University of Georgia (2003 and 2004), Terrell Suggs, Arizona State University (2002) All were first round picks in the National Football League draft. It looks like this year's fine young athletes are going to make the 2008 Award Selection both a thrill and a challenge! Get in touch with Award Director Sam Poulos if you have any questions about who's showing up on the radar & stay tuned to this site for more information. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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