Location Louisville, Kentucky First awarded 2010 | Country United States | |
Awarded for The collegiate American football player adjudged to be the most versatile of all NCAA players Presented by Louisville Sports Commission Currently held by Jabrill Peppers, Michigan | ||
The Paul Hornung Award is a college football award that was created in January 2010 by the Louisville Sports Commission (LSC) with the support of Paul Hornung, a native and resident of Louisville, Kentucky and member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The mission of the award is to recognize and reward versatile, high-level performers in major college football; to help preserve the legacy Hornung, of one of Louisville's native sons and sports icons; and to promote Louisville as a great sports town.
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Eponym
Paul Hornung is considered by many the most versatile player in the history of college and pro football. He won the 1956 Heisman Trophy at quarterback for Notre Dame and was the No. 1 pick in the 1957 NFL Draft. He played every position in the backfield during his career with the Irish, where he also punted, kicked, returned kicks and played defensive back. While in the NFL, he was an offensive back and kicker. He was a member of four NFL championship teams as an All-Pro halfback for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFL in scoring from 1959 to 1961, setting the single season scoring record in 1960 with 176 points. He was named league MVP following the 1961 season.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible, a candidate must be in good standing and elig ll of the season. Decisions regarding status for the award will be made by the Oversight Committee. In addition to starting or playing significant downs on offense or defense, candidates will be measured by performance from among one or more of the following: