Hawk Reflects on Winning the Rotary Lombardi Award – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 8, 2005
“The only reason I am here is because of the 10 guys I play around every day,” Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk said after he found out he was the 36th winner of the Rotary Lombardi Award Wednesday night in Houston. “I play around some of the best players in college football and I think I just represent them. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. I also would like to thank my coaches from high school and college who have done everything for me. Last but not least, I’d like to thank the other finalists. Any of them could have won it. I appreciate it. It is a huge honor and I thank you.”
Hawk joins a distinguished group of former winners that includes former Buckeyes Jim Stillwagon, who won the inaugural award in 1970, John Hicks, who won in 1973, Chris Spielman, who won in 1987, and Orlando Pace, who is the only repeat winner of the Lombardi Award. Five Ohio State players have won the award a record six times.
Following the ceremony, Hawk adds the following to his online journal:
It was a huge honor to come here and get the award. It was kind of surprising when they called my time because of the other finalists and how good they are. It is an honor with all the tradition this award has, especially with all the past Ohio State guys who have received it. I have to give a bunch of credit to my teammates and my coaches, but it is a big honor and I am glad I won.
I learned a lot about this award while I was here; how great it is and how much money they raise for the American Cancer Society. I think you learn a lot about it and you appreciate it meeting with the kids in the hospital. Getting up and speaking in front of such a large group, I didn’t really have a problem with it.
I don’t have a lot more time tonight, because I have to get up at 5:30 tomorrow morning and head to Orlando and have another busy day. I have to go to the ESPN Awards tomorrow night and then Friday, we are going to do some more hospital visits and then go to the Cingular ABC Sports All-America show. Saturday, I have the Butkus ceremony at night and then I leave early Sunday morning to go to the Lott Award. I’m going to try to leave really early Monday morning to head back to Columbus and try to be there for practice.
This is the third journal entry by A.J. Hawk, the Buckeye linebacker, co-captain and team MVP. Hawk, also the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, began a six-day award tour Tuesday in Houston for the Lombardi Award which was presented Wednesday night. He’ll be in Orlando for the College Football Awards Show on Thursday and the Cingular ABC All-America Team program on Friday before his trip to Florida ends Saturday with the Butkus Award presentation. On Sunday, Hawk will be in Newport Beach, Calif. for the Lott Trophy presentation. The College Football Awards Show will be televised live Thursday from 7-9 p.m. on ESPN and the Cingular All-America Team will be televised Saturday at 2 p.m. on ABC Sports.
