Contact Information: Contact: Ron Arp
Butkus Award(R) High School Trophy Presented to Punahou's Manti Te'o
| Source: Butkus Foundation
HONOLULU, HI--(Marketwire - 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.