Hughes Named Rotary Lombardi Award Finalist
11/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2009
HOUSTON -- TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes has been announced as one of four finalists for the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award.
The Rotary Lombardi Award is presented to the nation's top college football lineman (offense or defense) who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi.
The other finalists are Terrence Cody (Alabama), Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma) and Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska).
Hughes, a 2008 consensus All-American, has 10 1/2 tackles for loss with nine sacks and is fourth on the Horned Frogs with 41 tackles. He was named to all five Midseason All-America teams (SI.com, CBSSports.com, Sporting News, CollegeFootballNews.com and Phil Steele's).
Hughes is also one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award and one of 20 quarterfinalists for the Lott Trophy.
At an Oct. 29 luncheon at the Dallas Cowboys' stadium, Hughes received a Local Hero Award from Bank of America for his work in the community.
Hughes is on pace to graduate this spring with a degree in communications.
TCU is 9-0 and ranked fourth nationally. The Horned Frogs have won 11 in a row for the nation's third-longest current winning streak.
Hughes and the other finalists will be in Houston for the Dec. 9 ceremony to announce the winner. Former Green Bay Packers standouts Bart Starr and Jerry Kramer will participate in the 2009 Rotary Lombardi Award ceremonies as will Vince Lombardi Jr., son of the award's namesake.
The voters for the Rotary Lombardi Award consist of all head coaches of NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams, former winners and finalists of the Rotary Lombardi Award and selected members of the media.
