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LB A.J. Hawk (2x All-American, Lombardi Trophy, National Champion, Super Bowl Champion)

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It's truly a great honor for AJ to win the Rotary Lombardi trophy.

He's only the 6th linebacker to win the award in its 36-year history. Chris Spielman was one of the others, in 1987.

That also makes 6 Lombardi trophies awarded to Buckeyes, the most for any school. Notre Dame and Nebraska have each had 4 winners.

Jim Stillwagon, 1970 (inaugural winner)
John Hicks, 1973
Chris Spielman, 1987
Orlando Pace, 1995
Orlando Pace, 1996 (only 2-time winner)
AJ Hawk, 2005

:osu: :osu: :osu: :osu: :osu: :osu:
 
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Here is AJ's third journal entry from the trip, reflecting on winning the Lombardi award...


"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.
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Damn right, you better not miss practice.:biggrin: Congrats to A.J. as he deserves all of the accolades coming his way. As many have stated, his performance, humility and work ethic will set the standard for future LB's. I've said it before, he is one of my all-time favorite Bucks.
 
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scout.com (free)

12/8/05

Cogratulations to A.J. Hawk, well deserved honor.

Good article from Steve Helwagen about Hawk and winning the Lombardi Award.

Hawk is OSU’s first Lombardi Award winner since Orlando Pace won it back-to-back in 1995-96. Other Buckeyes to win the award include Jim Stillwagon (1970), John Hicks (1973) and Chris Spielman (1987). Stillwagon was the inaugural winner of the award given to the nation’s top lineman or linebacker in honor of legendary coach Vince Lombardi.
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Cleveland PD

COLLEGE FOOTBALL



OSU's Hawk adds to honors



Thursday, December 08, 2005 Doug Lesmerises

Plain Dealer Reporter
Ohio State senior linebacker A.J. Hawk won the Lombardi Award on Wednesday night, the fifth Buckeye to be honored as the best lineman or linebacker in the country.
Previous Ohio State winners were guard Jim Stillwagon in 1970, tackle John Hicks in 1973, linebacker Chris Spielman in 1987 and offensive tackle Orlando Pace in 1996 and 1997.
"It was a toss-up. You couldn't go wrong with any of these guys," Hawk said in a telephone interview soon after he was named. "But when I got called, I was surprised. It was a huge honor, especially with all the Ohio State guys that have won it."
The other Lombardi nominees this year were Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil, Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny and Texas defensive tackle Rod Wright.
The selection will ensure Hawk's place in the lobby of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, where the Buckeyes' major award winners are honored with a photograph and listing of their awards.
Hawk's list could get longer. He is up for the Bednarik Award on Friday, the Butkus Award on Saturday and the Lott Trophy on Sunday. He already has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Ohio State's team MVP.
The Lombardi, named for legendary coach Vince Lombardi, is voted on by nearly 400 coaches, writers, broadcasters and previous winners. The 40-pound block of granite on a silver pedestal is handed out by the Rotary Club of Houston, and Hawk had no trouble lifting the award at a banquet in Texas.
"I just thanked my teammates and my coaches and my parents," Hawk said. "I was up on stage, so I really couldn't see my parents, but I'm sure my mom started crying."
Hawk finished the season with 109 tackles, first on the Buckeyes, fifth in the Big Ten and 24th in the nation. As a team, Ohio State finished seventh in the country in scoring defense and fourth in total defense.
The last Buckeye to be a Lombardi nominee before Hawk was linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer, who was a finalist in 1997 and 1998. Hawk is the first linebacker to win since Dat Nguyen of Texas A&M in 1998.
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
[email protected], 216-999-4748
 
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DDN

Hawk's haul under way; wins Lombardi Award

By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Ohio State senior linebacker A.J. Hawk captured his first major national honor Wednesday night, winning the Lombardi Trophy during ceremonies in Houston.
<!--endtext-->

<!-- inset --> <!--begintext--> The award is given to college football's top lineman or linebacker. Hawk was chosen over Penn State's Paul Posluszny, Texas' Rod Wright and Louisville's Elvis Dumervil.
The Centerville native leads the Buckeyes in tackles with 109 — 34 more than the next most productive player — and has 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
He also spearheads the Big Ten's stingiest defense. OSU has allowed just 14.8 points per game and 275.3 total yards.
Hawk said he didn't expect to win.
"To tell you the truth, I never really thought about it," he said by phone. "After the Michigan game, I had done all I could to earn the award.
"It's exciting. I didn't realize the magnitude of it until I got here. They donate a lot of money to the Cancer Society, so that makes it special."
Four other OSU players have won the Lombardi since its inception in 1970: Jim Stillwagon ('70), John Hicks ('73), Spielman ('87) and Orlando Pace ('95 and '96).
"I guess I'm in pretty good company," Hawk said.
Hawk will attend the Home Depot College Football Awards show in Orlando, Fla., tonight as a finalist for the Bednarik Award, which is presented to the nation's top defensive player.
He's also a finalist for the Walter Camp player of the year award. The winner will be announced on ESPN's SportsCenter at 6 p.m.
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
 
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Official Site

Hawk Reflects on Winning the Rotary Lombardi Award

Fifth Buckeye wins Lombardi for Sixth Time
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Hawk is the fifth Buckeye to win the Rotary Lombardi Award

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"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.
 
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