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LB Coach James Laurinaitis (2x B1G DPOY, 2006 Nagurski, 2007 Butkus, 2008 Lott, 3x All-American, OSU HOF)

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December 15, 2008 2:15 AM
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]James Laurinaitis
[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Photo by Jim Davidson
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Football: After winning the Nagurski Award in 2006, then the Butkus in 2007, OSU senior linebacker James Laurinaitis will have to make room in the trophy case for one more award.
The Pacific Club in Newport, California, has awarded Laurinaitis the Lott Award as college football's impact player of the year. Laurinaitis is the only two-time finalist for the award and was selected over Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, Florida State defensive back Myron Rolle and Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry.
?This is so surprising to me, but such a tremendous honor. I have to thank my Lord Jesus Christ for all the amazing blessings he has sent me and this is such a blessing," said Laurinaitis.
"Knowing what this award stands for and knowing the reputation and character of Mr. Lott makes it very special. Hearing Keith Jackson announce my name is something I will never forget. It?s a credit to all my Ohio State teammates and an amazing honor. This is truly overwhelming.?
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Dispatch

Ohio State football: Laurinaitis is happy about his Lott in life

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 3:06 AM
By Ken Gordon


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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KEVORK DJANSEZIAN | ASSOCIATED PRESS
James Laurinaitis avoided being shut out on the award circuit Sunday when he won the Lott Trophy in Newport Beach, Calif.



Sunday night, in his third and final awards banquet of the season, James Laurinaitis finally heard his name called. The Ohio State linebacker was named the winner of the Lott Trophy at a ceremony in Newport Beach, Calif. The award, named after former Southern California and NFL star Ronnie Lott, is given to a defensive player who combines integrity, maturity, performance, academics and community service.
"This is so surprising to me, but such a tremendous honor," Laurinaitis said. "I have to thank my Lord Jesus Christ for all the amazing blessings he has sent me, and this is such a blessing. Knowing what this award stands for and knowing the reputation and character of Mr. Lott makes it very special. Hearing (longtime announcer) Keith Jackson announce my name is something I will never forget. It's a credit to all my Ohio State teammates and an amazing honor. This is truly overwhelming."
Before Sunday, Laurinaitis had been snubbed at banquets to give out the Bednarik Award (best defensive player) and Lombardi Trophy (best linebacker or lineman).
He also did not win the Butkus Award (best linebacker), which he won last year, and was not even a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy (best defender), which he won in 2006.
"James is humble, he's not worried about what people say about him," teammate Malcolm Jenkins said last week at the College Football Awards Show on ESPN. "He's excited just to be considered for an award."
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Dispatch

December 15, 2008

Finally, a trophy for James

Linebacker James Laurinaitis sat through two awards ceremonies last week and listened to other names called as winners: The Lombardi and the Bednarik. He also failed to win the Butkus -- which he won last year -- and was not even named a finalist for the Nagurski, which he won in 2006.
So last night, in his final try, Laurinaitis took home a trophy -- the Lott Trophy, which uses a combination of on and off-field critieria to name the nation's top "impact" defensive player. It's named for former USC and 49ers safety Ronnie Lott.
The banquet was held in Newport Beach, Calif, and the release announcing the winner was sent out at 2:07 a.m., so here's the release:

Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis was named the winner of the 2008 Lott Trophy as college football?s impact player of the year in ceremonies this evening at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif.
Laurinaitis, the first two-time finalist for the Lott Trophy, was selected over Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo, Florida State defensive back Myron Rolle and Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry for the award which emphasizes integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community and tenacity in a college defender. Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott, namesake of the award, was the host of the event. Legendary broadcaster Keith Jackson was the keynote speaker.
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The honors racked up by JL are certainly impressive.

He is one of a handful of players in history to make the AP First Team All-American Football Team in 3 different seasons.

The others include San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk (1991-93), Pittsburgh offensive lineman Bill Fralic (1982-84), Georgia running back Hershel Walker (1980-82), and Pittsburgh defensive end Hugh Green (1978-80).

Edit - the original article about AP 3-timers was inaccurate.

Since the AP is the third of the 5 NCAA-recognized All-American teams to place him on the first team, James became only the third Buckeye in history to be named a concensus First Team All American in 3 different football seasons. Chic Harley (1916, '17, '19) and Wes Fesler (1928-30) are the others.

A player named first team on at least 3 of these 5 teams is considered a concensus All American: Walter Camp, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the Associated Press (AP), and The Sporting News. Those are the 5 sources recognized by the NCAA record book.
 
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Muck;1357633; said:
Has any other player ever won three different major awards (Nagurski, Butkus, Lott) each in a separate season?
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Not that I know of.

Edit - I created a thread listing every player that's won a national award in more than 1 season:

BP.Winners of National Awards in Different Years

BB73;1355621; said:
As I've said before, I believe this makes James the first player to ever receive a national award in 3 different seasons.

Congrats to James on a very special accomplishment.
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http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/...-winners-national-awards-different-years.html
 
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[FONT=arial,helvetica]Ronnie Lott, left, holding the Lott Award, poses with finalist James Laurinaitis, of Ohio State, at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. The award goes to college defensive player of the year who has the biggest impact for his team on and off the field. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

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[FONT=arial,helvetica]Ronnie Lott, center, holding the the Lott Award, poses with finalists, from left, James Laurinaitis, of Ohio State; Aaron Curry, of Wake Forest; Myron Rolle, of Florida State; and Brian Orakpo, of Texas, at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. The award goes to college defensive player of the year who has the biggest impact for his team on and off the field. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

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[FONT=arial,helvetica]James Laurinaitis, of Ohio State, second right, is congratulated by fellow finalists Aaron Curry, right, of Wake Forest, Myron Rolle, left, of Florida State, and Brian Orakpo, of University of Texas, Ronnie Lott, left, after being awarded The Lott Trophy named after NFL great Ronnie Lott at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. The award goes to college defensive player of the year who has the biggest impact for his team on and off the field. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

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[FONT=arial,helvetica]James Laurinaitis, of Ohio State, left, poses with his father Joe Laurinaitis after being awarded The Lott Trophy named after NFL great Ronnie Lott at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. The award goes to college defensive player of the year who has the biggest impact for his team on and off the field. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

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[FONT=arial,helvetica]James Laurinaitis, of Ohio State, left, poses with the The Lott Trophy named after NFL great Ronnie Lott at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. The award goes to college defensive player of the year who has the biggest impact for his team on and off the field. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) [/FONT]
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[FONT=arial,helvetica]James Laurinaitis, of Ohio State, left,receives The Lott Trophy named after NFL great Ronnie Lott at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. The award goes to college defensive player of the year who has the biggest impact for his team on and off the field. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) [/FONT]

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[FONT=arial,helvetica]James Laurinaitis, of Ohio State, left, poses with The Lott Trophy named after NFL great Ronnie Lott at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008. The award goes to college defensive player of the year who has the biggest impact for his team on and off the field. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
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