Walter Camp Man of the Year

The Walter Camp Man of the Year is one of seven awards given annually by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. The award is given to the "Man of the Year" in the world of college football. It honors an individual who has been closely associated with the game of American football as a player, coach or close attendant to the game. He must have attained a measure of success and been a leader in his chosen profession. He must have contributed to the public service for the benefit of his community, country and his fellow man. He must have an impeccable reputation for integrity and must be dedicated to our American Heritage and the philosophy of Walter Camp.

2009 Man of the Year
Former Stanford University and Denver Broncos standout quarterback John Elway is the recipient of the Walter Camp Football Foundation's "Man of the Year" award.

"John Elway's heroics and remarkable success on the football field are well known, but his continuing support of game of the football and the greater good symbolizes the life of Walter Camp and make John a deserving recipient of the Man of the Year Award", said Foundation President Alphonse Paolillo, Jr.

Elway was recognized for his tireless community involvement. by establishing the "Elway Foundation", a non-profit organization that raises money directed towards the prevention and treatment of child abuse throughout Colorado. 

2008 Man of the Year
Record-setting placekicker Morten Andersen (Michigan State) was the recipient of the 2008 Walter Camp "Man of the Year" award. Born in Denmark, Andersen attended Michigan State and was named to the 1981 Walter Camp All-America team. Anderson is also a member of the Walter Camp All-Century Team.

After his successful collegiate career, Andersen went on to play 26 seasons in the NFL for five different teams (New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings). Andersen holds the distinction of being the all-time leader scorer in NFL history as well as the all-time leading scorer for two different teams (Saints and Falcons).

A seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Andersen was a member of the NFL All-Decade Teams for both the 1980s and 1990s. Andersen also holds the honor of being the first NFL kicker to kick three field goals of over 50 yards in a single game. For his career, Andersen connected on 565-of-709 (.797 pct.) field goals and 849-of-859 (.988 pct.) extra points for a total of 2,544 points – tops in NFL history.

2007 Man of the Year
Walter Camp All-Century Team member and NFL Hall-of-Famer Dick Butkus, University of Illinois, received the 2007 Walter Camp "Man of the Year" award.

He was a two-time Walter Camp All-America selection (1963 and 1964) while playing center and linebacker. Butkus was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and was voted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979. A member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team, Butkus had his number 51 jersey retired by the Bears in 1994.

After his playing career, Butkus became a well-known celebrity endorser, broadcaster and actor. In addition, the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando, Florida, created the Dick Butkus Award, an award given annually to the most outstanding linebacker in college football.

2006 Man of the Year
Mike Utley, the Former Washington State and Detroit Lions guard. Suffered a career-ending spinal injury during a game in 1991. Utley was awarded because he "has become a symbol of courage with his own rehabilitation". Also mentioned in his citation was his "commitment to help others with similar injuries".

The Mike Utley Foundation, with the motto "Thumbs Up", has been dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injuries and providing the motivational and emotional support for individuals who have been disabled with such injuries.

Yearly honorees
2011 — Harry Carson, South Carolina State

2010 — Will Shields, Nebraska

2009 — John Elway, Stanford

2008 — Morten Andersen, Michigan State

2007 — Dick Butkus, Illinois

2006 — Mike Utley, Washington State

2005 — Dwight Stephenson, Alabama

2004 — Anthony Munoz, Southern California

2003 — Ozzie Newsome, Alabama

2002 — Jim Kelly, Miami (Florida)

2001 — Mike Singletary, Baylor

2000 — Howie Long, Villanova

1999 — Gil Brandt, Dallas Cowboys

1998 — Lou Holtz, Kent State University

1997 — Calvin Hill, Yale

1996 — Lynn Swann, Southern California

1995 — Reggie Williams, Dartmouth

1994 — Dick Anderson, Colorado

1993 — Warren Moon, Washington

1992 — Bob Griese, Purdue

1991 — Mel Blount, Southern

1990 — Nick Buoniconti, Notre Dame

1989 — Paul Brown, Miami (Ohio)

1988 — Andy Robustelli, Arnold

1987 — Levi Jackson, Yale

1986 — Willie Davis, Grambling

1985 — Rocky Bleier, Notre Dame

1984 — Don Shula, John Carroll

1983 — Roger Staubach, Navy

1982 — Merlin Olsen, Utah State

1981 — Otto Graham, Northwestern

1980 — Gale Sayers, Kansas

1979 — Jack Kemp, Occidental

1978 — Floyd Little, Syracuse

1977 — Fred Dunlap, Colgate

1976 — Edward Krause, Notre Dame

1975 — Pete Dawkins, Army

1974 — Jake Gaither, Knoxville College/Florida A&M

1973 — Duffy Daugherty, Syracuse/Michigan State

1972 — Clinton Frank, Yale

1971 — Doc Blanchard, Army

1970 — Harry Kipke, Michigan

1969 — Pete Rozelle, San Francisco

1968 — Ted Blair, Yale

1967 — Hamilton Fish, Harvard