Buckeye Blog: Laurinaitis’ Football Awards Tour Across America – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
James Laurinaitis Blogs his trek across the United States for awards ceremonies concluded Sunday at the Lott Trophy in Newport Beach, Calif. The flight from Columbus to Orange County, Calif., was nearly 2,000 miles. With his return trip Monday to Columbus, James neared the 7,000-mile mark in his trek that started last Monday from Columbus to Charlotte, N.C.
Friday, he became Ohio State’s second all-time Butkus Award winner for nation’a best linebacker. Thursday, James was in Orlando for the ESPN College Football Awards Show and was named to the 2007 Walter Camp All-American Team. After his return flight to Columbus Saturday, James now has traveled nearly 3,000 miles this week and he is not done. Sunday, James will fly to California for the Lott Trophy presentation.
James shared some experiences from the trip so far.
Monday:
“We are starting our awards trip headed to Charlotte for the Bronko Nagurski Award banquet. I had final exams in communications and Romanian this morning, so I am glad to get those finished; I think I got a 4.0 for the quarter.
“The other finalists for the Nagurski are LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib, George Selvie from South Florida and Chris Long from Virginia. Chris and I were roommates at the Playboy All-America weekend back in May, so it is good to see these guys. We got off the plane in Charlotte, into our limo, and then jumped into my tuxedo as soon as we got to the hotel.
“After about an hour of non-stop autographs, we went in for dinner, a banquet for about 800 people. Coach Frank Beamer was the guest speaker, and Bubba Smith was presented with a Legends award. Bubba is quite a character. Then we all were introduced on stage and they announced the winner: Glenn Dorsey. A bunch more autographs and pictures and that was the evening.
“Monday was my 21st birthday. I got texts and messages all day from my friends. Thanks.”
Tuesday:
“The wake-up call came at 4 a.m., because our flight left Charlotte at 6 a.m. Next stop Houston for the Lombardi Awards. Chris Long, carrying some unique luggage, was on the flight with me. Glenn Dorsey is also a Lombardi finalist, but he had to fly back to LSU for a math exam. We landed in Houston about 8:30 a.m. and some more limos took us to the hotel. After a bite of breakfast, it was nap time.
“After an orientation luncheon with members of the Rotary Club, which sponsors the award, we checked our tuxedo measurements and learned a little more about the cancer research efforts that are funded by the Lombardi Award proceeds. In the afternoon, we had some media interviews, and we had a chance to speak to the students at the Burnett Bayland Juvenile Home of course, more pictures and autographs!
“Tuesday evening, we met a lot of the donors who have helped make the banquet a success over the years. We each had a chance to talk to the crowd, and when the host asked me what were my favorite Ohio State football traditions, I had a lot of fun staring over at Jake Long while telling about the tradition of gold pants.
“Everywhere we go, we keep meeting Buckeyes and Ohio State fans, or people who have OSU alums in their families. It’s obvious to me we will have plenty of support when we get to New Orleans.”
Wednesday
“It’s hard for me to put in words what Wednesday was like. We visited children patients at the MD Anderson Hospital and the Texas Children’s Hospital and it was a great morning! They are champs in every way, and they were so happy to meet us and fun to be around. We toured many different sections of these amazing hospitals, and the doctors and the workers there were terrific. We even were interviewed by some kids on their very own in-hospital radio station, Radio Lollipop.
“The Rotary Club has been a partner with the hospitals since before the Lombardi Award was started. Coach Lombardi died of cancer, so his wife asked that the award and its proceeds always be focused on fighting cancer. It is an amazing operation.
“We ate lunch at the Rotary House – a hotel for patients’ families situated right between some of the 20+ hospitals in the Houston complex.
“Banquet time again – another tuxedo – these had ties and vests in each of our school colors. Coach John Peterson, who recruits the Houston area, is also here decked out in a tux. He is going to introduce me at the banquet.
“About 2 hours straight of photo taking and autographs with the trophy, and then the banquet begins. Another great meal, but it’s not easy sitting up on the head table looking out over several thousand people. I sat between Coach Pete and Hugh McElroy, who was this year’s banquet chairman. He got the biggest cheer of the evening every time he said, “We’re here to kick cancer’s butt!”
“The Lombardi Award winner was Glenn Dorsey, but we are all having a lot of fun being together and traveling. After dinner, we got to meet the officers of the Houston alumni chapter for Ohio State. They said they average 300 people watching the games together a week, and up to 1,000 for the big games – impressive!
“Early wake-up call tomorrow (5 am) for our flight to Orlando and the next round of our tour.”
Thursday:
“Arrived in the sunshine of Orlando – we hear it’s really been snowing back in Columbus, so 75 degrees feels good. My dad is here after being snowed in back in Minnesota, so that’s more good news.
“Disney has tons of security for VIPs so they met us at the airport and took us to a separate entrance to check in away from the front desk. When we got there, our first assignment was a photo shoot for ESPN that will be on their All-America show – they had a rotating pedestal you had to stand on and then say your name and school when it turned you around to the camera. Several guys had trouble keeping their balance
“A little bit of free time in the afternoon, then security collected us at 5 pm for dinner and the ride over to the “red carpet” entrance for the awards show. The theatre was packed – barely room to move in the seats – I was glad I was on the aisle. My dad and Shelly Poe, our SID, were sitting with me. Coach Heacock and his wife Sherry were sitting in another section because he won the Broyles Award this year. Sitting right in front of us were Dennis Dixon from Oregon and his parents; right behind us were the freshman receiver from Texas Tech, Michael Crabtree, and his mom anddad. His mom couldn’t stop crying when he won the Biletnikoff.
“Once again, it is amazing to have so many great players in one room, an all-star list of college football. For a two-hour show, it moved along pretty fast, with lots of funny parts.
“Tomorrow, staying in Orlando, but moving to another hotel for the Butkus Awards events.”
Friday:
James was announced as the 2007 Butkus Award winner as the nation’s top linebacker.
“I think I was the most surprised guy in the room. It’s really overwhelming. It’s an honor for our whole defense, for all my teammates and coaches. Their play allows me to receive this type of attention. I can’t even pick up the trophy without breaking into a smile. This is terrific.
“I feel like I’ve stolen it from these two guys and am taking the trophy back to Columbus.”
Saturday:
Back to Columbus for a short travel break before heading to the Lott Trophy ceremony in California Sunday and Monday.
Sunday:
James was in Newport Beach, Calif. for the Lott Trophy presentation. Glenn Dorsey of LSU claimed the award.
