Louisville Sports Commission Creates Paul Hornung Award

National Award to Honor Most Versatile Player in Major College Football;

Inaugural Presentation will be Made Following 2010 Bowl Season

LOUISVILLE, KY (Jan 27, 2010) – Louisville legend Paul Hornung and the Louisville Sports Commission have teamed up to create the Paul Hornung Award that will recognize versatile, high-level players in major college football. The inaugural award will be presented following the 2010 football bowl season.

Hornung, the 1956 Heisman Trophy winner, NFL MVP in 1961,  recipient of the 2006 Davey O'Brien Legends Award and member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, is considered by many to be the most versatile player in the history of the sport. He played quarterback, halfback, fullback, place kicker, punter, and defensive back and held the NFL single-season scoring record for nearly 46 years. To this day, Paul is passionate about the game.

"Football had a tremendous impact on my life,” said Hornung. “I still love college football and follow it closely. The idea of giving back to college football by recognizing players who excel at multiple positions is exciting.

“This award is not necessarily about speed, strength or statistics. The award is about players who compete consistently at a high level and contribute to their teams in every way possible. I'm glad the award winner will be honored in Louisville. I love Louisville, it's my home."

"Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi said it best when he called Paul Hornung 'The most versatile man ever to play the game,'” said Karl Schmitt, Louisville Sports Commission executive director and former sports information director at the University of Miami. “The landscape of college football is changing and many of the nation's most talented players have opportunities to excel at multiple positions. Paul Hornung's stature as a multi-position star at Notre Dame and the Green Bay Packers makes him the perfect namesake of a national award that recognizes the most versatile players in college football.

“Paul Hornung is a tremendous asset for our community and all of us associated with the Louisville Sports Commission are delighted to oversee a national award given in his name." The winner will be honored at a banquet in Louisville following the 2010 bowl season.

Hornung's name also adorns The Paul Horning High School Award that is presented annually to the outstanding high school football player in Kentucky by the Louisville Quarterback Club. Austin Collingsworth (Ft. Thomas Highlands; committed to Notre Dame) won the award in 2009. Previous winners include current NFL players Michael Bush (Male High; University of Louisville; Oakland Raiders), Brian Brohm (Trinity High; University of Louisville; Buffalo Bills).

The Louisville Sports Commission is a Louisville, Kentucky-based, not-for-profit 501-c (3) organization committed to creating a legacy of economic and social vitality through sports. LSC attracts and hosts sporting events and activities that have a positive economic impact on the City, enhance the image of the Louisville area as a premier sports destination, promote healthy lifestyles and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages. More information on the LSC is available at www.louisvillesports.org and on our Facebook fan page.

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE – An Oversight Committee has been formed comprised of LSC Board Members, staff and other prominent members of the Louisville community and the sports world. The Oversight Committee intends to do everything in its control to insure the integrity of the selection process and to maintain the integrity of the Paul Hornung Award.

SELECTION CRITERIA – To be eligible, a candidate must be in good standing and eligible on his team during the entire selection process, eligible with the NCAA during the entire selection process and start as a position player during all or most of the season. In addition to starting on offense or defense, candidates will be measured by performance from among one or more of the following:

1. Playing a significant role on special teams
2. Playing multiple positions on offense and/or multiple positions on defense
3. Performing as a two-way player who starts either on offense or defense and is used on the other side of the ball in some impactful capacity
4. Making a significant impact during big games and elevating the team's performance by excelling in multiple roles

Leadership, quality of opponents and recognition as position or special teams player-of-the-week or other honors as a position player or special teams player also will be considered.

SELECTION COMMITTEE

The Selection Committee will be comprised of 12 to 16 individuals who closely follow college football, including: online, print and broadcast sports journalists; prominent, former NFL and college football players; and high-level sports executives.

Confirmed Selection Committee Members:

• Phil Simms, NFL Quarterback, Super Bowl MVP, CBS Sports
• Emilie Deutsch, senior producer – CBS College Sports TV
• Will Wolford, NFL All-Pro Offensive Tackle, four Super Bowl appearances with Buffalo Bills; Indianapolis Colts radio analyst
• Aaron Taylor, Lombardi Award; NFL player, CBS College Sports
• Mark Blaudschun, Boston Globe
• Ivan Maisel, espn.com

Selection Committee members will be added over the next several months.

SELECTION PROCESS

LSC staff will collect and disseminate all information associated with the Award with the exception of the final vote. A public accounting firm will tabulate the final votes for the winner. All conference calls, votes, and distribution of information and selections will he held in the strictest of confidence by LSC staff. Voting will be conducted primarily via email. A four-step process will be used to identify candidates, promote the Award and select the Finalists and the Award winner:

1. The LSC staff and Oversight Committee, with input from the Selection Committee members and public vote via social media and other sources will develop an Official Watch List .
2. Names will be added to the Official Watch list as the season progresses based upon player performance.
3. Selection Committee members will vote for Finalists using a 5-3-1 point system (1 st place – 5 points; 2 nd place – 3 points; 3 rd place – 1 point). A designated number of players with the most points will comprise the Finalist List . Public voting via social media and other sources will impact the selection.
4. Selection Committee members will select their top three from the finalist pool, ranked in order 1 st place, 2 nd place, 3 rd place. The 5-3-1 point system will be used to determine the Winner. Public voting may be included.

SELECTION TIMELINE

The essence of the Award – versatility enabling a player to make an impact at numerous positions on the field – suggests that a dynamic list of candidates will emerge as the college football season progresses. With this factor in mind, the Paul Hornung Award Oversight Committee will adhere to the following timeline:

1. Develop and maintain an Official Watch List from preseason throughout the regular season.
2. Recognize outstanding performances periodically during the season.
3. Announce the Award Finalists in late November or early December.
4. Announce the Award winner following the Citi BCS National Championship Game in early January and host the winner in January or February at the official awards banquet in Louisville, Kentucky.

Paul Hornung Award – 2009 Fantasy Finalists

A panel of college football experts selected the following “Fantasy Finalists” based on performances in 2009. These players might have been finalists had the Paul Hornung Award been given this past season. Their statistical information for the 2009 season is included. The players are listed in alphabetical order.

• Javier Arenas, DB, Alabama
• Antonio Brown, WR, Central Michigan
• Ryan Broyles, WR, Oklahoma
• Randall Cobb, QB/RB, Kentucky
• Terrance Cody, NT, Alabama
• Mardy Gilyard, WR, Cincinnati
• Brett Hamlin, WR, Buffalo
• Dan LeFevour, QB, Central Michigan
• Doug Martin, RB/LB, Boise State
• Dexter McCluster, RB, Mississippi
• C.J. Spiller, RB, Clemson
• Tim Tebow, QB, Florida
• Daniel Thomas, RB, Kansas State

Finalists for other awards: CJ Spiller – Doak Walker; Terrence Cody – Lombardi, Nagurski, Bednardik; Tebow – Heisman, Doak Walker, Maxwell, Davey O'Brien

PAUL HORNUNG – BIOGRAPHY

Legendary Green Bay Packers Coach Vince Lombardi described Paul Hornung as, “The most versatile man ever to play the game.”

Few individuals can claim sustained success throughout their high school, college and professional careers at as many different positions on the football field as Paul Hornung. Known as "The Golden Boy," Hornung is a past winner of the NFL's MVP award, a College and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Heisman Trophy winner in a career that spanned his days from Flaget High in Louisville, Kentucky, to his three varsity seasons at historic Notre Dame, through his nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers during the greatest years in the history of that storied franchise.

During his time at Notre Dame, Hornung saw action at quarterback, halfback, fullback and safety and handled punts, kickoffs, field goals and extra points. At Green Bay , Hornung lined up at fullback, halfback and quarterback until Lombardy became coach and played Hornung at halfback for the rest of his career.

As sophomore in 1954, Hornung played every position in the Notre Dame backfield as a substitute. He also played basketball for the Fighting Irish that year, averaging 6.1 points per game.

Hornung started at quarterback as a junior in 1955 and compiled 743 yards passing and 472 yards rushing. He finished the season ranked fourth nationally in total offense with 1,215 yards and led the Irish to wins over fourth-ranked Navy and a come from behind win over Iowa. Late in the game against the Hawkeyes, returned a kickoff into scoring position, threw a long TD pass, kicked off and made the tackle on the two yard line, then kicked a winning field goal. Hornung threw for 354 yards in a loss to USC, the best mark by an individual in the NCAA that season. He finished fifth in the Heisman voting behind winner Howard ”Hopalong” Cassady of Ohio State.

As a senior quarterback, Hornung ranked second nationally in total offense with 1,337 yards. He scored a career best 56 points during his final season, bringing his career total to 121. He led the Fighting Irish in passing, rushing, scoring, kickoff and punt returns, punting, field goals, PATs and passes broken up. He was second on the team in interceptions and tackles.

Hornung led the team to a 19-12 record during three years at Notre Dame, including two seasons with eight or more wins. Hornung finished his Notre Dame career with 1,696 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. He ran for 1,051 yards, scored 15 touchdowns, 25 PAT's and two field goals during his three seasons of varsity play. He also registered 10 interceptions and had 23 kickoff returns for 663 yards.

Hornung was the 22nd winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1956. He is the only player in the 75-year history to win the award after playing for a team with a losing record. His 1956 team finished 2-8. He was the first player to win the award despite not leading in first place votes. He finished with 197 first place votes, eight shy of Tom McDonald's ( Oklahoma ) 205 votes. McDonald finished third; Tennessee's Johnny Majors was second. Hornung finished among the top two in voting in three of the five voting regions, including first in the Midwest . He also won the Davey O'Brien Award and was named All-American following his senior campaign.

In 1957, the Green Bay Packers selected Hornung with the first pick in the National Football League Draft. It was the start of a nine-year NFL career with the franchise. Hornung is one of just 13 players in NFL draft history who have been selected first in the draft and gone on to earn election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

From 1959 through 1961, Hornung led the NFL in scoring. He set the NFL scoring record in 1960 with 176 points on 15 touchdowns, 15 field goals, and 41 extra points, a mark that would stand for nearly 46 years. He averaged 15.6 points per game when his two touchdown passes were added to his season total. Hornung was named the NFL's MVP in 1961 after he ran for 597 yards and finished with 146 points and eight touchdowns, the second best total of his career.

Hornung was called to active duty in the US Army in 1961 to fulfill his requirements from ROTC at Notre Dame and obtained weekend passes to play in the games. Coach Lombardi arranged Christmas leave from the Army through the efforts of President John F. Kennedy in time for the 1961 NFL Championship Game where Hornung scored a record 19 points as the Packers beat the New York Giants 37-0.

Hornung carried the ball over 100 times in four of his nine seasons in the league and had at least five touchdowns on the ground in six straight seasons from 1959 through 1965. He finished his career with 3,711 rushing yards, 50 rushing touchdowns, 12 touchdown receptions and 1,480 receiving yards in 104 games. He made 66 field goals during his career and 190-of-194 extra point attempts. Hornung was 24-of-55 passing for 383 yards and five touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions, returned ten kick for 248 yards and registered 760 points in his career.

Hornung was a member of four NFL Championship teams as the Packers won titles in 1961, 1962 and 1965 and Super Bowl I in 1967. Hornung suited up for the Super Bowl but did not play due to a pinched nerve in his neck. H e was the first player selected by the New Orleans Saints in the 1967 expansion draft but never played due to injury.

Hornung was a 1985 inductee into the National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame, 1986 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and 1975 inductee into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame. Paul is author of multiple books, including the 2004 release, “Golden Boy.”

He was three-sport star in high school and earned a total of 12 varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. Highly recruited for football, Hornung was ready to join Bear Bryant at the University of Kentucky but made a late change to Notre Dame at the suggestion of his mother and his best friend Sherrill Sipes. Paul Vernon Hornung was born December 23, 1935, in Louisville, Kentucky

HORNUNG'S CAREER HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1956 Heisman Trophy Winner  
• Selected to 1959 Pro Bowl
• Selected to 1960 Pro Bowl
• Led NFL in scoring 1959-60-61
• Set NFL Scoring Record 176 points in 1960; record stood for nearly 46 years until LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers scored 186 points in 2006
• 1961 NFL MVP
• 1961 Bert Bell Award Winner by the Maxwell Football Club for being the Professional Player of the Year
• First Player Selected by New Orleans Saints in 1967 Expansion Draft
• 1975 Inducted into Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame
• 1985 Inducted in National Football Foundation College Football Hall of Fame
• 1986 Inducted in Pro Football Hall of Fame
• 2006 Davey O'Brien Legends Award Recipient

About The Louisville Sports Commission

The Louisville Sports Commission is dedicated to attracting, producing and supporting sporting events that have a positive economic impact, enhance the image of the greater Louisville area as a premier destination for sporting events, and improves the quality of life for area residents and sports enthusiasts. The Louisville Sports Commission is a 501-C-3 Non-profit organization.

In recent years, the Louisville Sports Commission has attracted the Ford Ironman Louisville, the National Senior Games, the U.S. Transplant Games, AVP Volleyball and the National Masters Cycling Championships.

Louisville Sports Commission
Brooke Ballard

email
(502) 587-7767