To honor the nation’s most versatile player, the Paul Hornung Award will be awarded annually by the Louisville Sports Commission starting this season
Because there aren’t enough college football awards, the Louisville Sports Commission announced the creation of the Paul Hornung Award. This award will be given annually to the nation’s most versatile college football player.
For those of you who don’t recognize the name, you have to dig deep into Notre Dame history. Paul Hornung, nicknamed the “Golden Boy,” was one of the greatest players to ever play the game and certainly the greatest coming out of South Bend.
When I say this player did it all, he really did. During Hornung’s junior year, he was 4th in the nation in total offense with 1,215 yards and 6 TDs. Some highlights include his game against #4 Navy, where he miraculously had 2 TDs on offense and on defense he snagged two INTs. Against Iowa, he threw for a TD and kicked a field goal to win the game. It’s needless to say, but Hornung was truly a versatile player for the Irish. In 1956, he took home the Heisman while leading the team in offensive passing, rushing, scoring, kickoff and punt returns, field goals, and punting. This man played offense, defense, and special teams.
His excellence at the college ranks landed him in the NFL and ultimately the Hall of Fame with the Green Bay Packers.
Whoever is in receipt of this award is truly blessed with greatness. And if this trophy was awarded this past season, Tim Tebow would have certainly been my top candidate.
