Area high school football fans were thrilled Sunday when Boston College junior Luke Kuechly -- a standout for the St. X Bombers during their legendary 2007 season -- won the Butkus Award, an annual award honoring the nation’s top linebacker. Dick Butkus himself handed Kuechly the trophy at the team’s awards banquet.
“I didn’t know what was going on,” he told reporters, after coach Frank Spaziani told the assembled team that the linebacker was the closest thing he’d ever seen to Dick Butkus -- and Butkus walked into the room. “These two big guys were standing right behind me and I was like wow, what is going on right now? “
Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is considered one of the greatest football players in history. His legendary career with the Chicago Bears (see highlights here) followed college ball at the University of Illinois and high school ball at Chicago Vocational School. Each year The Butkus Foundation gives the award to a top high school, college, and professional linebacker who also excels at community service.
“I used to watch football growing up and I used to watch NFL Films,” Kuechly said. “They would always be talking about Dick Butkus. I just remember watching those games and he is one of the all-time linebackers and they always mentioned his name. ... That’s the best award if you are a linebacker.”
Kuechly was selected by a panel of 51 coaches, recruiters, scouts and journalists coordinated by Pro Football Weekly. His three years playing for the Eagles began with a surprise start after three key players were injured or became ill. Since then, he has racked up records and honors.
He currently leads the country in tackles for the second straight year, with 191 this season alone. He is a two-time winner of the Lott Player of the Week, was the runner-up for the Butkus Award last year (when he was also a finalist for the Lombardi and Nagurski awards), was named on four All-American teams, and is the leading tackler in ACC history... among other honors. He was named Defensive Player of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media last month and is one of four finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given for performance and character, that will be awarded December 11.
“Luke Kuechly is a highly instinctive tackling machine with rare three-year production,” said Hub Arkush, publisher of Pro Football Weekly and coordinator of the Butkus Award selection committee, in a statement. “He embodies the spirit of the Butkus Award, bringing tremendous intensity, competitiveness and leadership to the field, while continuing a legacy of outstanding linebacker play at Boston College.”
Keuchly’s father Tom, pictured with him in the lower shot, was present for the surprise announcement, which came days before it was expected. To read ESPN’s account of the evening, click here.
Photos courtesy Boston College.
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