February 8, 2024 – PHILADELPHIA, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

National Football Foundation President Steven Hatchell Named as the Francis “Reds” Bagnell Award Winner

 

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced that National Football Foundation (NFF) President and CEO Steven Hatchell, will be honored with the Club’s Francis “Reds” Bagnell Award for Contributions to Football at the 87th Maxwell Awards which will be held on Friday March 8, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. The award’s namesake Francis Bagnell served as both the Maxwell Football Club President and the National Football Foundation President during his career.

As president & CEO of the NFF since 2005, Hatchell oversees a nationwide organization of 121 chapters in 47 states with more than 12,000 members who host more than 300 local annual events. The NFF has experienced remarkable growth, and his leadership has played a critical role in the 2014 opening of the state-of-the-art $68.5 million College Football Hall of Fame in the heart of Atlanta. He has also spearheaded the launch of several highly successful and award-winning initiatives, including the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame, the “Future For Football” public service campaign, and the Campbell Trophy® Summit to name a few.

A career sports administrator, Hatchell joined the NFF after serving for six years as the commissioner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).  Prior to the PRCA, Hatchell served as the first commissioner of the Big 12 Conference in Dallas, an entity he helped establish in 1995 after serving as the last commissioner of the Southwest Conference from 1993-95.  While with the Big 12, Hatchell played a key role in negotiating the television contracts and bowl game formula that would make the conference one of the strongest in the nation today.  During his time at the Big 12, he also served as the first chairman of the Power of One/NCAA Football Committee, a collegiate promotional initiative to combine the marketing resources of collegiate sports into a unified force, and he was chairman of the Football Bowl Association for six years. 

From 1987-93, Hatchell headed the Orange Bowl as its executive director, landing FedEx as its title sponsor, a landmark relationship at the time.  Hatchell was director of sports information for the University of Colorado from 1972-76. He left CU to become sports information director at Colorado State in September of 1976. He was at CSU for a year, and he added responsibilities as director of external affairs during that period. He served as an associate commissioner of the Big 8 Conference from 1977-83. He left to become the commissioner at the age of 33 of the Metropolitan Collegiate Athletic Conference, a post he held from 1983-87. A graduate of the University of Colorado, Hatchell was inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame in 2017.

“When you think about impactful leadership in college athletics, and football specifically, Steve Hatchell’s name would have to be right at the top of that list. His resume is dotted with impressive stops as a conference commissioner, bowl director and in other key leadership roles in college football culminating with his role at the National Football Foundation. The NFF is an organization that sets the bar for excellence for all of us who work in the college football space and Steve is a visionary who has assembled a team that promotes, develops and celebrates the game of football to the maximum. His contributions have helped shape the game that we all love.”

Mark Wolpert – Executive Director – Maxwell Football Club

Hatchell will be honored Friday March 8, 2024 at the 87th Maxwell Football Club National Awards which will be held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.  Also receiving awards at this event will be Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens (Bert Bell Award), Dan Campbell – Detroit Lions (Earle “Greasy” Neale Award,  Michael Penix Jr. – Washington (Maxwell Award), Payton Wilson – NC State (Chuck Bednarik Award), Kalen DeBoer – Washington/Alabama (George Munger Coach of the Year Award), Caleb Downs – Alabama/Ohio State (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award and John Grant Jr. – Cricket Celebration Bowl (Brookshier Spirit Award) and Claude Felton – University of Georgia (MFC Special Achievement Award). The Club will be announcing additional in the coming days.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards are available for purchase on the Club’s website https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets-backup/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

February 7, 2024 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced that Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has been selected as the winner of the 65th Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award, and that Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has been chosen as the winner of the 35th Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year Award.
Jackson put together a phenomenal 2023 campaign, posting a 67.2 completion percentage and 3,678 passing yards
which were both career-highs. He threw 24 touchdown passes to just seven interceptions, and rushed for 821 yards and five touchdowns. The Pompano Beach, Fla. native helped guide the Ravens to a 13-4 record during the regular season, clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first round bye for the NFL Playoffs in the process. Against the Texans in the Divisional Round, Jackson completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 152 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed 11 times for 100 yards and two more scores. This is the third time Jackson has been honored by the Maxwell Football Club, first as the Maxwell Award winner as College Player of the Year (2016) while at Louisville, and again (2019) winning the Bert Bell Award as a Raven.

Campbell joins former Lions coach Wayne Fontes (1991) as a winner of the Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award,
having led the Lions to a historic 2023 season. Detroit tied a franchise record with 12 regular season wins, won a
divisional title for the first time in 30 years, and hosted a playoff game for the first time in Ford Field history. The Lions posted two playoff wins before ultimately falling to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game.
Jackson and Campbell will be honored Friday March 8, 2024 at the 87 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards which will be held at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Also receiving awards at this event will be Michael Penix Jr. – Washington (Maxwell Award), Payton Wilson – NC State (Chuck Bednarik Award), Kalen DeBoer – Washington/Alabama (George Munger Coach of the Year Award), Caleb Downs – Alabama/Ohio State (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award, John Grant Jr. – Cricket Celebration Bowl (Brookshier Spirit Award), Claude Felton – University of Georgia – Special Achievement Award, and Bobby Houck – University of Montana (Get in the Game Impact Award).

The Club will be announcing additional winners in the coming days.
Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards are available for purchase on the Club’s website
https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets-backup/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football
organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and
professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through
programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes
around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS – PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football’s charge into the world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF’s media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights in the game.

 

 

February 7, 2024 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Georgia’s Claude Felton to Receive Maxwell Football Club Special Recognition Award

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced that University of Georgia Sr. Associate Athletic
Director, Claude Felton, will be honored with the Club’s Special Achievement Award in recognition of his 45 years of
service to UGA athletics and collegiate sports in general.

Felton joined the UGA Athletic Association staff in 1979 as Sports Information Director and since has held positions as
Assistant Athletic Director, Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs, and recently retired from the position of Sr.
Associate Athletic Director for Sports Communications. He served as media coordinator for 18 NCAA national
championship events and also worked on the press liaison staff for the U.S. Olympic Committee at the 1984 Los Angeles
Games. Felton was also the press venue chief when the soccer competition was held at Georgia's Sanford Stadium
during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

During Felton’s tenure, Georgia’s athletic teams won 136 Southeastern Conference titles and 47 national championships.
He handled the publicity efforts for numerous All-Americans and individual awards, most notably Herschel Walker
winning the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award in 1982.

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert commented, “Claude has been the standard bearer for the
communications side of UGA athletics for over 45 years, and his impact on the university and the student athletes he has
worked with is immeasurable. He exemplifies everything that is positive in collegiate athletics and is a true credit to the
University of Georgia and the Southeastern Conference where he has helped so many individuals along their career
paths. This award is recognition of a job well done for many years.

Felton will be honored Friday March 8, 2024 at the 87 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards which will be held at the
College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Also receiving awards at this event will be Michael Penix Jr. – Washington
(Maxwell Award), Payton Wilson – NC State (Chuck Bednarik Award), Kalen DeBoer – Washington/Alabama (George
Munger Coach of the Year Award), Caleb Downs – Alabama/Ohio State (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award
and John Grant Jr. – Cricket Celebration Bowl (Brookshier Spirit Award). The Club will be announcing additional winners
of professional awards and special awards in the coming days.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards are available for purchase on the Club’s website
https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets-backup/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

 

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director
Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest
football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school,
collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the
community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership.
High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events,
free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T.
Coombs Foundation and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit
http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS – PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data
collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football’s charge into the world of
analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast
networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF’s media network
provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights in the
game.

 

 

January 30, 2024 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Maxwell Football Club Announces University of Montana Head Coach Bobby Hauck as the 2023 Get In the Game
Impact Award Winner.

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced University of Montana head coach Bobby Hauck has been
selected as the winner of Get in the Game Impact Award presented by the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation. The
award is given to the person or persons who have gone above and beyond to help save lives through their involvement
with the NMDP Get in the Game program.  These individuals show immense passion and loyalty to the program and
their efforts have direct impact on its success.

Under Hauck, the 2023 Grizzlies put together a 10-1 season to secure the program’s 19 th conference title and a No. 2
seed in the FCS playoffs. The Griz were picked to finish sixth by the coaches and third by the media in the preseason
polls but went on to earn wins over four ranked opponents and UM’s 74 th win over rival Montana State to claim the
championship. To reach the final, Montana won 10-straight games with seven of those wins coming against ranked
opponents and five against top-10 teams, including beating then-No. 3 Idaho on the road, No. 7 Sacramento State, and
No. 4 Montana State to cap the regular season. Delaware was ranked No. 11, Furman No. 7, NDSU No. 8, and SDSU No.
1. He’s a four-time Big Sky Coach of the Year and was named the D1-AA (FCS) Region 5 Coach of the Year three times
and was also named as a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year twice.

“The impact of Coach Hauck’s passionate support of the NMDP Get in the Game program is immeasurable. As a member
of our Coaches Council, Coach Hauck has assisted with program expansion by recruiting new coaches to join our mission.
He’s a spokesperson for us within the Big Sky Conference, as well as the American Football Coaches Association. We
know 2024 is going to be our most successful yet with Coach Hauck as part of our team.”
– Krista Ross, Manager, Athletic Programs & Partnerships, NMDP
“Bobby Hauck is giving patients around the world hope for a cure! His efforts, alongside those of his staff and his players,
have directly resulted in five blood stem cell donations, giving five individuals with blood cancer, a second chance at life.
How great is that? Bobby is a first class coach, but he is a better man. He leads by example and is teaching his players
firsthand that life is bigger than the game of football. He is a hero and a lifesaver!

– Coach Andy Talley, Head Coach Emeritus, Villanova University & Founder of the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation
Press Release

Hauck will be honored Friday March 8, 2024 at the 87 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at
the College Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Also receiving awards at this event will be Michael Penix Jr. – Washington
(Maxwell Award), Payton Wilson – NC State (Chuck Bednarik Award), Caleb Downs –Alabama/Ohio State (Shaun
Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), Steve Hatchell – National Football Foundation (Francis Reds Bagnell Award),
Kalen DeBoer –Washington/Alabama (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award), and Jeremiah Smith –
Chaminade-Madonna HS/Ohio State and Sammy Brown – Jefferson HS/Clemson (MFC National High School Players of
the Year). Additional professional award winners will be announced next week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website
https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets-backup/ or by calling 215-643-3833.
Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director
Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.
About the Maxwell Football Club
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC
promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each
year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also
presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information
on the Club can be found at http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.
About the Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation
The Andy Talley Bone Marrow Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their mission is to increase the odds of
finding lifesaving donors for patients in need of a blood stem cell or bone marrow transplant by registering young,
diverse and committed donors to the Be the Match Registry®.
About NMDP SM (formerly Be The Match)
At NMDP SM , we believe each of us holds the key to curing blood cancers and disorders. As a global nonprofit
leader in cell therapy, NMDP creates essential connections between researchers and supporters to inspire action
and accelerate innovation to find life-saving cures. With the help of blood stem cell donors from the world’s
most diverse registry and our extensive network of transplant partners, physicians and caregivers, we’re
expanding access to treatment so that every patient can receive their life-saving cell therapy. NMDP. Find cures.
Save lives.

About the NMDP Get in the Game program
The NMDP Get in the Game SM program uses the power and influence of college athletics to recruit more students
to the NMDP Registry SM to become potential blood stem cell donors.
A blood stem cell transplant can cure or treat more than 75 diseases, including blood cancers and other blood
disorders like sickle cell. NMDPSM connects thousands of patients every year with a matching donor for the
chance at a life-saving transplant.
The NMDP Get in the Game program formed in 2008 when NMDP approached Villanova University head football
coach emeritus Andy Talley to partner with the organization. Coach Talley had already been busy recruiting
athletes to the registry through on-campus drives. By teaming up, they could accelerate awareness and

encourage more athletics programs to become community leaders. In 2010, coach Talley launched the Andy
Talley Bone Marrow Foundation to further support the program.
Over the past 16 years, more than 325 college and university athletics teams across the country have teamed up
with Get in the Game to add more potential donors to the registry.
College athletics teams participate in the program by hosting their own donor registry recruitment events to help
motivate more students and athletes to join the registry.
Thanks to this partnership, more than 185,000 college athletes and students have signed up to be potential
donors. Of those, more than 1,100 have matched with a patient and donated their healthy blood stem cells to
someone facing a blood cancer or disorder.
The latest recruits to the registry from the 2022-23 academic year are already making a direct impact, too. In
fact, 30-plus of those new members have now matched with a patient and said “yes” to donating, giving
hope—and possibly a cure—to a stranger in need.
Get in the Game continues to connect patients to donors every year.

 

 

 

 

January 11, 2024 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

DeBoer Announced as the George Munger College Coach of the Year Winner

The Maxwell Football Club today announced that Kalen DeBoer has been selected as the 2023 George Munger Collegiate
Coach of the Year Award winner after leading the Washington Huskies to the Pac-12 Championship and a berth in the
College Football Playoff. Nick Saban (Alabama), Mike Norvell (Florida State), Steve Sarkisian (Texas) and David Braun
(Northwestern) were the other finalists for the award.

The UW coach led the Huskies to a 13-0 regular season record in just his second season, and knocked off Texas in the
Sugar Bowl playoff semifinal. The Huskies ultimately fell to Michigan in the National Championship game.
DeBoer is 25-3 as the UW head coach, boasting a 21-game winning streak leading into the National Championship game.
In nine seasons as a college head coach, he is 104-12.

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert commented, “Coach DeBoer has energized the Washington
program and has built a foundation for long term success for the Huskies. The team’s 14-1 mark is a great testament to
the hard work of Coach and his staff, and also to the dedication shown by the student-athletes involved in the program.
Coach DeBoer has established a standard of hard work and commitment which will provide a bright future for Husky
football.”

DeBoer will be honored Friday March 8, 2024 at the 87 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards which will be held at the
College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Also receiving awards at this event will be Michael Penix Jr. – Washington
(Maxwell Award), Payton Wilson – NC State (Chuck Bednarik Award), Caleb Downs – Alabama (Shaun Alexander
Freshman of the Year Award and John Grant Jr. – Cricket Celebration Bowl (Brookshier Spirit Award). The Club will be
announcing additional winners of professional awards and special awards in the coming days.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards are available for purchase on the Club’s website
https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets-backup/ or by calling 215-643-3833.
Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director
Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest
football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school,

collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the
community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership.
High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events,
free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T.
Coombs Foundation and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit
http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS – PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data
collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football’s charge into the world of
analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast
networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF’s media network
provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights in the
game.

The George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award is a member of the National College Football Awards
Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the
NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about
the association.

 

 

 

 

Maxwell Football Club Names John T. Grant Jr. as the Winner of the Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced that John T. Grant Jr. will be honored with the Club’s Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award at the 87th Maxwell Awards, Friday March 8, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta Georgia. In addition to Mr. Grant’s award the Club will also recognize Michael Penix Jr. (Washington) -Maxwell Award (College Player of the Year), Payton Wilson (NC State) – Chuck Bednarik Award (College Defensive Player of the Year) and Caleb Downs (Alabama) Shaun Alexander Award (Freshman of the Year) at the event. Grant is the executive director of the Cricket Celebration Bowl and the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff, college football games in Atlanta that are owned and operated by ESPN Events. A highly respected business leader in Atlanta and one of the most influential figures in Black college athletics, Grant has grown the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff into a marquee annual event between college football programs from the Mid-Eastern Athletic and Southwestern Athletic conferences. Grant has also built the Cricket Celebration Bowl into the crown jewel of Historically Black Colleges and University (HBCU) football with champions of the MEAC and SWAC playing at Mercedes Benz Stadium each December in a nationally-televised ABC broadcast for the Black college football national championship. In all, Grant has worked in the Atlanta market for more than three decades. Prior to joining ESPN, he was the chief executive officer of 100 Black Men of Atlanta, an organization that provides support and improves the quality of life for African Americans, particularly youth, through educational and economic opportunities in the Atlanta community.   Grant has received numerous awards and recognition. He was selected by the Atlanta Business Chronicle as one of the 100 Most Influential Atlantans, 100 Most Influential in Hospitality, 50 Most Influential Non-Profit Leaders, ‘50 Most Influential Leaders in Sports, and 2016 Who’s Who in Sports. He was inducted into the 2015 Atlanta Hospitality Hall of Fame, and he was named one of Atlanta’s 2016 Men of the Year by Atlanta Tribune Magazine. Also, the Atlanta Friendship Initiative, a non-profit aimed at building relationships among Atlanta leaders to eliminate racism that Grant co-founded in 2016, was recipient of Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2022 Visionary Award. In 2023 he was named among Sports Illustrated 20 Most Influential Black Figures in College Football. Grant currently serves on several boards including the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Atlanta Sports Council, Walt Disney Company’s HBCU Advisory Committee and is a member of the Atlanta Rotary   “John Grant Jr. has been at the forefront of HBCU football for many years, and the events he has developed in Atlanta provide unmatched exposure opportunities for the teams and student-athletes in the MEAC and SWAC conferences. His hard work and dedication to these endeavors coupled with the efforts he has made in the Atlanta community have impacted countless young people and have served as an example on how to ignite positive interaction in his city. He is a difference maker and I know that Tom Brookshier would be proud to know that a man like John Grant Jr. would be represented with this award.” Mark Wolpert – Maxwell Football Club Executive Director

Tickets for the Maxwell Awards at the College Football Hall of Fame are on sale and can be purchased by visiting https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets-backup/

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, the Bradley Law Firm, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the NFL Foundation. To learn more about our story visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

January 9, 2024 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Maxwell Football Club To Honor Girls Flag Football Players With Mini-Max Awards

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced that the organization will be honoring 10 girls flag
football players with Mini Max Awards at the Club’s high school awards event on Sunday February 4 th . This will be the
first time in the Maxwell Club’s 87-year history that female players are being formally recognized for their achievements
on the gridiron. In addition to the flag players the Club will also recognize the top boy’s players from Pennsylvania, New
Jersey and Delaware at the event.

Interest in girls flag football has risen dramatically in recent years and it is a program that has garnered great support
from the NFL, and which is strongly supported by NFL franchises. Both New Jersey and Pennsylvania state high school
associations are working towards recognizing girls flag football as an officially approved sport and the Maxwell Football
Club has always been on the forefront of supporting developing trends in the game.

“The opportunity to engage in the support and development of girl’s flag football is a wonderful avenue for the Maxwell
Football Club. Our goal is, and always has been, to support football at all levels, so the chance to be on the forefront of
these amazing opportunities for girls and young women is something that we value greatly. There are so many
incredible female athletes that now have the chance to play the great game of football, and to benefit from the lessons
the game teaches. We are honored to be a small part of the development of this game and look forward to offering our
resources and support to the young women who are serving as the pioneers of this emerging sport.”
Mark Wolpert – Executive Director – Maxwell Football Club

The following players will be recognized as Mini Max Award winners for the 2023 season.

Kimberly Donnelly – Archbishop Ryan High School
Stefania DiPalma – Lansdale Catholic High School
Krista Quinn – Gwynedd Mercy Academy High School
Maya Johnson – Abington High School
Natalie Gordon – North Penn High School

Elaysha Vereen – Mastery High School of Camden
Casey Burden – Wissahickon High School
Nilah Thompson – Science Leadership Academy at Beeber
Ruth Duink – Academy at Palumbo
Alexis Sears – Cedar Creek High School

The Maxwell Club’s Mini Max Award dinner will he held on Sunday February 4, 2024 at the Drexelbrook Catering and
Events Center in Drexell Hill, PA. Tickets are available at https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-mini-max-high-
school-awards-dinner-tickets/.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football
organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and
professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through
programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes
around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity
of our corporate partners, the Bradley Law Firm, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the
NFL Foundation. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2, 2024 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

George Munger College Coach of the Year Finalists

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced the 5 finalists for the 2023 George
Munger College Coach of the Year Award, which is presented yearly by the Maxwell Football Club.
All finalists are listed in alphabetical order by school. The winner of the 2023 George Munger Award
will be announced on Wednesday January 10, 2024.

Nick Saban Alabama
Mike Norvell Florida State
David Braun Northwestern
Steve Sarkisian Texas
Kalen DeBoer Washington

The George Munger Award will be formally presented at the 87 th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be
held on Friday March 8, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Event tickets
are on sale now at https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets-backup/.
ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and
is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in
performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is
also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic
excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country
have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of
our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the
Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS – PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced
data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football’s charge into the
Press Release

world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major
broadcast networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well.
PFF’s media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their
thirst for deeper insights in the game.
The George Munger College Coach of the Year Award is a member of the National College Football
Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football.
Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit
ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and
is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in
performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell
Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote
academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes
around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge,
through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T.
Coombs Foundation and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit
http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

December 27, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

CALEB DOWNS WINS SHAUN ALEXANDER OUTSTANDING FRESHMAN AWARD
The Maxwell Football Club announced that University of Alabama defensive back Caleb Downs has been
selected as the 6 th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award presented to the outstanding freshman
player in college football. The award will be presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with many of
the other top awards in college and professional football.

Downs, a Hoschton, Georgia‎ native. is the second Crimson Tide player to garner the honor, and is the
third player from the SEC to earn the accolade, joining Brock Bowers (Georgia) and Will Anderson Jr.
(Alabama) as winners. Drake Maye (UNC), Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) and Trevor Lawrence
(Clemson) have also won the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award since its inception in 2018.
Downs posted huge numbers and earned SEC Newcomer of the Year honors after posting 99 total
tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one forced fumble and three pass breakups. He also
made his mark on special teams, something he showcased with an electric 85-yard punt return
touchdown against Chattanooga. His outstanding play earned him recognition on the Pro Football
Focus, Sporting News and the Associated Press All American teams.

“Caleb Downs’ talent is undeniable and when you watch him, he just jumps off the field. When I had the
opportunity to learn about Caleb as a teammate and a person it was obvious that he was the type of
player I would want to carry on the tradition of the Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year
Award.

Downs is no stranger to the Maxwell Club awards, having been named as the Club’s National High
School Player of the Year in 2022. He will be joined in Atlanta this March by Michael Penix Jr,
(Washington) the Maxwell Award winner and Payton Wilson (NC State) the winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award. Additional college and professional award winners will be named in the upcoming
weeks.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman
Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at
the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL.
The formal presentation of the Shaun Alexander award will be made at the 87th Maxwell
Awards Friday March 8, 2024 from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Tickets for the
awards show are on sale at https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets-backup/

 

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and
is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in
performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell
Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote
academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes
around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge,
through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T.
Coombs Foundation and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit
http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

 

 

 

December 14, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

MAXWELL CLUB NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER OF THE YEAR SEMIFINALISTS

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced today the 2023 semifinalists for
the Club’s National Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year awards. Fifteen players on each side
of the ball have been selected based on their performance during the 2023 high school season.
There are players from 12 different states represented on the semifinalist list.
Players are listed below in alphabetical order.

Offensive Player of the Year Semifinalists

Jason Brown RB O’Dea High School Seattle WA
Terry Bussey WR Timpson High School Timpson TX
Ny Carr WR Colquitt County High School Norman Park GA
Cameron Coleman WR Central High School Phenix City AL
Courtney Crutchfield WR Pine Bluff High School Pine Bluff AR
Jeremy Hecklinski QB Walton High School Marietta GA
DJ Lagway QB Willis High School Willis TX
Carter Nelson TE Ainsworth High School Ainsworth NE
Dylan Raiola QB Buford High School Buford GA
Jaden Reddell TE Raymore-Pecuilar Sr. High School Pecuilar MO
Julian Sayin QB Carlsbad High School Carlsbad CA
Jordan Seaton OL IMG Academy Bradenton FL
Jeremiah Smith WR Chaminade-Madonna College Prep Hollywood FL
Andrew Sprague OL Rockhurst High School Kansas City MO
Taylor Tatum RB Longview High School Longview TX

Press Release

Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalists

KJ Bolden DB Buford High School Buford GA
Sammy Brown LB Jefferson High School Jefferson GA
Zabien Brown DB Mater Dei High School Santa Ana CA
Chris Cole LB Salem High School Salem VA
Aaron Flowers DB Forney High School Forney TX
LJ McCray DL Mainland High School Daytona Beach FL
Williams Nwaneri DL Lee’s Summit North High School Lee’s Summit MO
Zaquan Patterson DB Chaminade-Madonna College Prep Hollywood CA
Brayden Platt LB Yelm High School Yelm WA
Ellis Robinson DB IMG Academy Bradenton FL
Elijah Rushing DL Salpointe Catholic High School Tucson AZ
Colin Simmons DL Duncanville High School Duncanville TX
Kyngstonn Villiamu-Asa LB St. John Bosco High School Bellflower CA
Amaris Williams DL Clinton High School Clinton NC
Justin Williams LB Oak Ridge High School Conroe TX

Caleb Downs (Mill Creek HS – Alabama), the 2022 winner, leads the Crimson Tide defense and ranks
fourth in the SEC with 99 stops, including 3.5 for loss. He was named SEC Freshman of the Year and
All-American by Pro Football Focus and USA Today. Downs is also a finalist for the Shaun Alexander
Award for Outstanding Freshman of the Year.

The formal presentation of this year’s Maxwell Club National High School Player of the Year awards
will be held Friday March 8, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Maxwell
Awards event tickets will be on sale starting December 18 th .
The Maxwell Club National HS POY is selected by the Club’s selection committee. All questions
concerning the winners or the awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club can be directed to
Mark Wolpert, Maxwell Football Club Executive Director, at mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org, or to
John Schmid, Director of High School Awards at jschmid@maxwellfootballclub.org

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and
is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in
performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is
also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic
excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country
have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of
our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Bradley Law Firm, and the Edward T. Coombs
Foundation. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

 

 

December 8, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

MAXWELL AND BEDNARIK AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced today that Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been selected as the winner of the 87 th Maxwell Award as the Collegiate Player of the Year, and that NC State linebacker Payton Wilson is the winner of the 29 th Chuck Bednarik Award for the Collegiate Defensive Player of the Year. The winners of the Maxwell Award and the Chuck Bednarik Award were announced tonight as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show, broadcast from the ESPN studios in Bristol CT.

Penix Jr. has had a remarkable season for the Huskies leading Washington to an undefeated season and a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Huskies are back in the playoff for the first time since after the 2016 season as Penix has completed 307-of 466 passes for 4,218 yards. He’s also thrown 33 TDs and nine interceptions. In addition to the Maxwell honor, Penix Jr. was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. Wilson, a 6-4, 242-pound graduate student from Hillsborough, N.C., started all 12 games for the Wolfpack in 2023, leading a defense that ranks in the top 25 nationally in nine defensive categories. The ACC Defensive Player of the Year and five-time conference linebacker of the week, Wilson made 138 stops and 17.5 tackles for loss, along with ten pass breakups, a forced fumble, two recovered fumbles, and three interceptions with one returned for a score. Wilson played 46 games and had 36 starts during his collegiate career with the Wolfpack.
Caleb Williams (USC) was the 2022 Maxwell Award winner, and Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. was the recipient of last year’s Bednarik Award. Anderson was a first-round draft pick by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft and Williams just completed his junior season at USC and is widely considered to be one of the first quarterbacks taken in the 2024 NFL draft.

The formal presentation of this year’s Maxwell and Bednarik awards will be held Friday March 8, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. Maxwell Awards event tickets will be on sale starting December 15 th . Eligible voters for the Maxwell and Bednarik awards include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA FBS head football coaches, sports information directors, and selected national media. All questions concerning the winners or the awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club can be directed to Mark Wolpert, Maxwell Football Club Executive Director, at mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org, or to Richard Cirminiello, Director of Collegiate Awards at rcirminiello@maxwellfootballclub.org

The Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards are members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 25 awards boast over 800 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit http://www.NCFAA.org to learn more about our story.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country
have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of
our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Bradley Law Firm, and the Edward T. Coombs
Foundation.To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS – PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football’s charge into the world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF’s media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights in the game. The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.

 

December 1, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Finalist Announcement

The Maxwell Football Club today announced 5 finalists for the 6 th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award presented to the outstanding freshman player in college football. The award will be presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with several of the other top awards in college and professional football.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. Past winners include; Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) – 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis)-2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) – 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) 2021 and Drake Maye (North Carolina) 2022.

“Congratulations to this year’s Shaun Alexander Award Top 5 Finalists. I’ve enjoyed watching this year’s top 5 impact college football as they have put on some of the best collegiate performances I’ve seen this season. I’m confident these guys will continue to perform at an elite level for years to come. Good luck to the winner!” – Shaun Alexander The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award finalists are listed below in alphabetical order by
school.

 

Caleb Downs – University of Alabama – Defensive Back – Freshman
Noah Fifita – University of Arizona – Quarterback – Redshirt Freshman
Rueben Bain – University of Miami – Defensive End – Freshman
Kevin Concepcion – NC State – Wide Receiver – Freshman
Dillon Thieneman – Purdue University – Defensive Back – Freshman

 

The winner of the 6 th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award will be unveiled December 29 th 2023. The formal presentations of this awards will be made at the Maxwell Awards Friday March 8, 2024 from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Questions concerning the 2023 Shaun Alexander Award watch list can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org or MFC Director of College Awards Rich Cirminiello rcirminiello@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

November 29, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
Maxwell Awards – Venue Announcement

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced that the 87 th Maxwell Awards will be held on Friday March 8, 2024 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta Georgia. This will be the first time in the Club’s history that the awards event will be hosted outside of the Tri-State area having been in the city of Philadelphia for 64 years followed by a 22-year run in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The College Football Hall of Fame is no stranger to national functions of this type, having hosted marquee events like the ESPN College Football Awards and SEC Media Days. The facility provides a modern location with amenities and ample hotel space which will make for a fantastic event for guests.

“We have enjoyed a very long run in Philadelphia, Atlantic City and last year at Mohegan Pennsylvania. With Philadelphia being our home, and with our ever-expanding high school programs in this region, we will always have a significant and impactful presence in this Delaware Valley. That is our commitment and that will not change. But as the Club has grown, and taken on a greater national prominence in collegiate football, we have to look at the best opportunities to expose our marquee awards and exceptional programs on a broader scale.

After much consideration and multiple venue visits, we have determined that Atlanta is a location that offers tremendous value and infrastructure, which is essential for a successful event. The College Football Hall of Fame is epicenter of college football and the facility, staff, and attractions will add to our signature event. Atlanta and the southeast region present an opportunity for MFC to grow both the event and the MFC brand and the timing is right.”

Mark Wolpert – Maxwell Football Club Executive Director

The Maxwell Football Club college award winners will be announced on Friday December 8 th on the ESPN College Football Awards Show which will be aired on ESPN from 7:00-9:00pm. Tickets for the Maxwell Awards at the College Football Hall of Fame will go on sale on Monday December 11 th .

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, the Bradley Law Firm, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the NFL Foundation. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 28, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Maxwell & Chuck Bednarik Award Finalist Announcement

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert announced the 2023 finalists for the 87th Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year and the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.

The respective lists include a field of candidates for each of these awards as determined by the semifinalist
voting process which ended Nov. 26. All finalists are listed in alphabetical order by player's school with position and class designated.

2023 Maxwell Award Finalists

Jayden Daniels – LSU – Quarterback
Bo Nix – Oregon – Quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. – Washington – Quarterback

2023 Chuck Bednarik Award Finalists

Dallas Turner – Alabama – Linebacker
Payton Wilson – NC State – Linebacker
Laiatu Latu – UCLA – Defensive Line
.
Last season, the Maxwell Award went to USC quarterback Caleb Williams and the Chuck Bednarik Award was
presented to Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr.

The winners of the 87 th Maxwell Award and the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the
ESPN College Football Awards which will be broadcast live on ESPN on December 8, 2023.

 

Voting for both of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Tuesday November 28 and close on Sunday December 4, 2023 at 10:00am EST. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected national media.

All questions or concerning these Finalist or the awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club can be directed to Mr. Mark Wolpert (Maxwell Football Club Executive Director) mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org, or to Mr. Richard Cirminiello rcirminiello@maxwellfootballclub.org (Director of Collegiate Awards).

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the NFL Foundation. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS – PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced
data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football’s charge into the
world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major
broadcast networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well.
PFF’s media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their
thirst for deeper insights in the game. The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA
and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about
the association.

 

 

 

November 13, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

MAXWELL AND BEDNARIK AWARD SEMIFINALISTS

Maxwell Football Club Executive Director, Mark Wolpert, announced the 2023 semifinalists for the 87th Maxwell Award for the Collegiate Player of the Year and the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. The lists include a field of 17 candidates for the Maxwell Award and 20 candidates for the Bednarik Award as selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee. The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed statistical and performance- based assessments to selection committee staff, and several senior PFF analysts have been added to the selection committee and have participated in the process. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete football reference in the country.

A strong field of Maxwell Award semifinalists includes representatives from 6 conferences, with the SEC boasting 6 candidates each and the Big Ten and Big 12 notching 3 spots each. Caleb Williams (USC), the 2022 Maxwell Award winner, leads this class of candidates which features 11 quarterbacks, 3 wide receivers, 2 running backs and 1 tight end.

On the defensive side of the ball, the field of contenders is comprised of fresh faces. Seven different conferences and 1 independent are represented, led by 4 student-athletes each from the Big Ten and SEC and 3 each from the Big 12 and ACC. Last season, the Maxwell Award was presented to USC quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bednarik Award went to Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. Anderson was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft by the Houston Texans and Williams is completing his junior season for the Trojans.

Semifinalist voting for both of the collegiate awards presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Wednesday Nov. 14 and will close on Nov. 26. Three finalists for each award will be announced on Nov. 28 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media. All semifinalists are listed in alphabetical order by school with the player’s school, position and class designated.

The winners of the 87th Maxwell Award and the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Friday December 8, 2023. The formal presentation of the Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards will take place at the 87 th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held on Friday March 8, 2024.

Questions regarding the Maxwell and Bednarik semifinalist lists can be directed to: Mark Wolpert –
mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org or Rich Cirminiello – rcirminiello@maxwellfootballclub.org.

Maxwell Award Semi-Finalists

First Name Last Name School Position
Jalen Milroe Alabama QB
Jordan Travis Florida State QB
Carson Beck Georgia QB
Brock Bowers Georgia TE
Kaidon Salter Liberty QB
Malik Nabers LSU WR
Jayden Daniels LSU QB
Blake Corum Michigan RB
J.J. McCarthy Michigan QB
Luther Burden III Missouri WR
Drake Maye North Carolina QB
Marvin Harrison Jr Ohio State WR
Dillon Gabriel Oklahoma QB
Ollie Gordon Jr Oklahoma State RB
Bo Nix Oregon QB
Caleb Williams USC QB
Michael Penix Jr. Washington QB

Chuck Bednarik Award Semi-finalists
First Name Last Name School Position
Dallas Turner Alabama LB
Jeremiah Trotter Jr Clemson LB
Malaki Starks Georgia DB
Jer’Zhan Newton Illinois DL
Cooper DeJean Iowa DB
T.J Tampa Iowa State DB
Jalen Green James Madison DL
Ashton Gillotte Louisville DL
Kris Jenkins Michigan DL
Kris Abrams-Draine Missouri DB
Payton Wilson NC State LB
Howard Cross III Notre Dame DL
Tommy Eichenberg Ohio State LB
Jason Henderson Old Dominion LB
T’Vondre Sweat Texas DL
Edgerrin Cooper Texas A&M LB
Quinyon Mitchell Toledo CB
Laiatu Latu UCLA DL
Jonah Elliss Utah DE
Beanie Bishop Jr. West Virginia CB

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Montage Mountain Resort, Ivy Rehab, The Buccini Pollin Group, the Edward T. Coombs Foundation and the Run Around Inc. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS – PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football’s charge into the world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast networks, national media outlets and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF’s media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights in the game.

The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.

 

 

 

NOVEMBER 7, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
MAXWELL AWARD WATCH LIST ADDITION

The Maxwell Football Club announced the final mid-season watch list addition for the 87 th Maxwell Award
presented to the Outstanding Player in college football. Players named were selected by the MFC national
selection committee and these players will be eligible for consideration as semifinalists for this award.
Semifinalists will be announced on Monday November 13th and voting will commence on November 14 th .

Maxwell Award Watch List Addition
Jalen Milroe – Quarterback – University of Alabama

Please direct any questions about watch list additions to Mark Wolpert mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org or
Rich Cirminiello rcirminiello@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners the ETC Foundation, the NFL Foundation and the Run Around Inc.

To learn more about our
story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

Press Release

The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.

 

November 1, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Shaun Alexander Award Semifinalists

The Maxwell Football Club today announced 14 semifinalists for the 6 th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award presented to the outstanding freshman player in college football. For the 3 rd consecutive year, the award will be presented at the Maxwell Football Club Awards along with several of the other top awards in college and
professional football.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and with the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL. The award Past winners include; Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) – 2018, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis)-2019, Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) – 2020, Brock Bowers (Georgia) – 2021 and Drake Maye (North Carolina) – 2022.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award watch list will incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Bowl
Subdivision (FBS) programs and conferences from coast to coast led by Oklahoma with 2 candidates, and 12 schools represented by one candidate.

Semifinalists are listed below alphabetically by school.

Caleb Downs, Alabama – Safety
Javante Mackey, Arkansas State – Linebacker
T.J Parker, Clemson – Defensive End
D’Angelo Ponds, James Madison – Cornerback
Rueben Bain Jr., Miami – Defensive End
Kevin Concepcion, North Carolina State – Wide Receiver
Nic Anderson, Oklahoma – Wide Receiver
Peyton Bowen, Oklahoma – Safety
Dillon Thieneman, Purdue – Safety
Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina – Safety
Anthony Hill, Texas – Linebacker
Taurean York, Texas A & M – Linebacker
Zachariah Branch, USC – Wide Receiver
Parker Brailsford, Washington – Offensive Line

Press Release

Finalists for the 6 h annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award will be November 29, 2023 and the winner of the award will be announced on December 27, 2023. The formal presentation of this award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards in March of 2024.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE SHAUN ALEXANDER FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD – The Shaun Alexander Freshman Player of the Year Award is an honor given each year to the most outstanding freshman player in college football. Named after Shaun Alexander since 2018, this award recognizes the exceptional performance and impact made by these players on their respective teams throughout the season. The winning formula evaluates players based on Talent, Character, Ambassador and Legend.

Questions concerning the 2023 Shaun Alexander Award watch list can be directed to MFC Executive Director MarkWolpert mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org or MFC Director of College Awards Rich Cirminiello
rcirminiello@maxwellfootballclub.org

 

 

 

OCTOBER 19, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
MAXWELL AND BEDNARIK AWARD WATCH LIST ADDITIONS

The Maxwell Football Club announced the mid-season watch list additions for the 87 th Maxwell Award
presented to the Outstanding Player in college football, and the 29 th Chuck Bednarik Award which is presented to the outstanding defensive player in college football. Players named were selected by the MFC national selection committee and these players will be eligible for consideration as semifinalists for each of these respective awards. Semifinalists will be announced on Monday November 13th and voting will commence on November 14 th .

Maxwell Award Watch List Additions
Ashton Jeanty – Boise State – Running Back
Carson Beck – Georgia – Quarterback
Ray Davis – Kentucky – Running Back
Jaxson Dart – Mississippi – Quarterback
Brady Cook – Missouri – Quarterback
Luther Burden – Missouri – Wide Receiver
Audric Estime – Notre Dame – Running Back
DJ Uiagalelei – Oregon State – Quarterback
Drew Allar – Penn State – Quarterback
Jonathon Brooks – Texas – Running Back
Kimani Vidal – Troy – Running Back

Press Release

Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List Additions
Jaylin Simpson – Auburn – Safety
Mohamed Kamara – Colorado State – Edge
Malaki Starks – Georgia – Safety
Jalen Green – James Madison – Edge
Ashton Gillotte – Louisville – Edge
Kris Abrams-Draine – Missouri – Cornerback
Kaimon Rucker – North Carolina – Edge
Howard Cross III – Notre Dame – Defensive Tackle
Denzel Burke – Ohio State – Cornerback
Danny Stutsman – Oklahoma – Linebacker
James Pearce Jr. – Tennessee – Edge
T’Vondre Sweat – Texas – Defensive Tackle
Jonah Elliss – Utah – Edge

Please direct any questions about watch list additions to Mark Wolpert mwolpert@maxwellfootballclub.org or
Rich Cirminiello rcirminiello@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, Ivy Rehab, SAFR, the ETC Foundation and the Run Around Inc. To learn more about our story visit http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

The Maxwell Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.

February 2, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA

FOR IMMEDIATE DISTIBUTION

The Maxwell Football Club announced that Caleb Downs, from Mill Creek High School (Hoschton, Georgia) has been selected as the 2022 Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year. This is the 16 th year that this award will be presented at the Maxwell Club National Awards Gala, and the Alabama signee joins the likes of Derrick Henry (2012), Trevor Lawrence (2017) and Bryce Young (2019) as winners of the honor over the past decade. Downs joins that list after leading Mill Creek to a 14-1 record, the AAAAAAA state championship and the No. 11 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25.

The 6-foot, 190-pound senior safety helped the Hawks win their first state title in school history. Mill Creek broke the championship game record in a 70-35 victory over Carrollton, a contest where Downs recorded 13 tackles and tacked on three rushing scores. Downs closed out his illustrious high school career with 83 tackles, five interceptions (two pick-sixes), 10 passes defended and one fumble recovery. Offensively, he added 57 carries for 389 yards and 20 touchdowns to go with 36 receptions for 422 yards and three scores.

“Leadership, innovation and an indisputable drive to be the best are attributes that Caleb exhibits,” said Mark Wolpert, Executive Director of the Maxwell Football Club “We got to see the leadership and camaraderie that Caleb shared with his teammates both on and off the field during the 2023 All American Bowl game and we are excited to name this outstanding young man as the Maxwell Football Club National High School Player of the Year.”

The Maxwell Football Club National HS Player of the Year award was established in 2007 and former winners include Nicholas Singleton (Offense – Governor Mifflin HS – Penn State), Mykel Williams (Defense – Hardaway HS – Georgia), Ty Thompson (Offense – Mesquite HS – Oregon), Barrett Carter (North Gwinnett HS – Clemson), Bryce Young (Offense – Mater Dei HS – Alabama), Bryan Bresee (Defense – Damascus HS – Clemson), Bru McCoy (Offense – Mater Dei HS – Tennessee), Nolan Smith (Defense – IMG Academy – Georgia), Trevor Lawrence (Offense – Cartersville HS – Clemson), Taron Vincent (Defense -IMG Academy – Ohio State), Tate Martell (Bishop Gorman HS – Ohio State), Jacob Eason (2015 Lake Stevens HS – Washington), Trenton Thompson (2014 Westover HS – Georgia), Will Grier (2013 Davidson Day School – West Virginia), Derrick Henry (2012 Yulee HS – Alabama), Noah Spence (2011 Bishop McDevitt HS – Ohio State), Jeff Driskel (2010 Hagerty HS – Florida), Sharif Floyd (2009 George Washington HS – Florida), Jamarkus McFarland (2008 Lufkin HS – Oklahoma) and DeVier Posey (2007 Cincinnati LaSalle HS – Ohio State). Henry and Young went on to win the Maxwell Award while at Alabama.

Downs will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania. Also receiving awards at this event will be Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (Bert Bell Award), Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles (Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award), Joe Klecko New York Jets (Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania), Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), and Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award), Tom Perkovich – Susquehanna University (Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year), and Sean Clifford – Penn State (Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year). The Club will be announcing additional winners next week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information on the Club can be found at http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a 237-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting MoheganPA.com Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.

February 2, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Maxwell Football Club Announces 2022 Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year, And Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Winners.

The Maxwell Football Club announced today that Susquehanna University Head Coach Tom Perkovich has been selectedas the winner of the Club’s 25th Andy Talley Regional Coach of the Year Award and that Penn State quarterback SeanClifford has been chosen as the winner of the 22 nd Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award.

Under Perkovich’s direction, Susquehanna compiled an 10-1 record and won their 1st Centennial Conference championship. The River Hawks claimed decisive wins over Dickinson, Gettysburg, Lycoming and Moravian, and exhilarating nail-biters over Johns Hopkins and Muhlenberg, leading up to their first appearance in the NCAA DIII Football Championships since 2009. They concluded the 2022 campaign ranked No.19 in the final Division 3 national
poll.

Clifford led the Nittany Lions to a 11-2 mark in 2022 with an exciting 35-21 Rose Bowl win over Utah serving as an
exclamation point to an outstanding season. Clifford’s Rose Bowl performance was one of the finest of his Penn State
career and earned him game MVP honors. Clifford finished the Granddaddy of them all 16-of-22 for 279 yards, and 2
touchdowns. For the season, Clifford passed for 3107 yards and 21 touchdowns. A four-time team captain who used
COVID eligibility for an extra college campaign, Clifford sits atop program record lists for most career passing statistics,
and he will next pursue opportunities in the NFL.

Perkovich and Clifford will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Galawhich will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania. Also receiving awards at this event will be Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (Bert Bell Award), Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles (Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award), Joe Klecko (Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania), Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), and Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award). The Club will be announcing additional winners this week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website
https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.
Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director
Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

Press Release

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC
promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each
year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also
presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information
on the Club can be found at http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a 237-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting MoheganPA.com Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download download our app and view us on Youtube.

Press Release

January 26, 2023 – PHILADELPHIA, PA
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced that New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko has been selected as the winner of the 18 th MFC Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania.Klecko was the Jets’ sixth-round selection in the 1977 draft and had an immediate impact with 69 games played, 53 starts and 33.5 sacks over his first four seasons.

Klecko’s recorded 20.5 sacks in 1981 as he teamed up with Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam to form the dominating “New York Sack Exchange.” The Jets defense that season posted 66 sacks, which remains the franchise single-season record.

Klecko was named to the NFL Pro Bowl rosters four times, after the 1981, ’83, ’84 and & ’85 seasons. In the process, he became one of the league’s rare players to be named to the all-star squads at three different positions — defensive end, defensive tackle and nose tackle.

He was also recognized as an All-Pro first-team selection in 1981 and ’85, was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in ’81 and was the ’82 George Halas Award winner that goes to the NFL player, coach or staffer who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

Teamwise, Klecko has received every accolade there is. His iconic uniform No. 73 was retired in 2004 and was a member of the New York Jets Ring of Honor’s six-member 2010 inaugural class. Jets fans voted him as a member of the New YorkJets All-Time Team in 2019.

He is currently a finalist for selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame and if selected he will be inducted this summer. Klecko will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86 th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania.

Also receiving awards at this event will be Jalen Hurts – Philadelphia Eagles (Bert Bell Award), Nick Sirianni – Philadelphia Eagles (Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award), Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell
Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Sean Clifford – Penn State (The Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), and Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award). The Club will be announcing additional winners this week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website

https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club (MFC) was founded in 1935 and is a registered 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation. The MFC promotes and recognizes excellence at all levels of football from youth leagues through the professional ranks. Each year the MFC offers programs which focus on player and coach development, safety, and player wellness. The Club also presents many of the premiere awards in the football world each year. Membership is open and additional information
on the Club can be found at http://www.maxwellfootballclub.org.

ABOUT MOHEGAN PENNSYLVANIA
Mohegan Pennsylvania, owned by Mohegan, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on
400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Pennsylvania features a 237-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 67,000 square feet of gaming space including nearly 60 live table games, more than 1,700 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Pennsylvania is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia,
New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting MoheganPA.com Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us
on YouTube.

Press Release

January 25, 2023 Philadelphia, PA

Maxwell Football Club Announces the Winners of the 64th Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award and the 34th Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year Award

Maxwell Football Club Director, Mark Wolpert, announced that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has been selected as the winner of the 64th Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year Award, and that Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has been chosen as the winner of the 34th Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year Award.

In only his 3rd NFL season, Hurts exploded into one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons accumulating 3701 passing yards, and 22 touchdowns, and adding an additional 760 yards and 13 scores on the ground. Hurts set an all-time Eagles record with 35 total regular season touchdowns this season while leading the Eagles to a 15-3 record and a berth in the NFC Championship game vs the San Francisco 49ers this Sunday. In addition to his Bert Bell honor, he was named to the Pro Bowl and also selected as a 2nd team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

Hurts joins an elite list of Eagles players including; Norm Van Brocklin (1960), Pete Retzlaff (1965), Ron Jaworski (1980), Randall Cunningham (1988-1990-1998), Michael Vick (2010) and Carson Wentz (2017) to win the Bert Bell Award.

In his 2nd season as head coach, Nick Sirianni has led the Eagles to a 15-3 record and a berth in the  NFC Championship game, punctuated by a dominating 38-7 win over the New York Giants in the divisional round of the playoffs. Along the way, the Eagles won the NFC East championship and shattered numerous team records including: most wins in a regular season (14), most points scored in a season (447) and most sacks in a season (70). The Eagles have been dominant on both sides of the ball with a smothering defense and an innovative offense which deploys weapons that are virtually impossible to defend. Prior to being named as the Eagles head coach, Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts.

Sirianni joins former Eagles Coaches, Ray Rhodes (1995), Andy Reid (2000-2002-2010), Chip Kelly (2013), and Doug Pederson (2017) as winners of the Greasy Neale Coach of the Year Award.

Hurts and Sirianni will be honored Thursday March 9, 2023 at the 86^th Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala which will be held at the Mohegan Pennsylvania Resort. Also receiving awards at this event will be Caleb Williams – USC (Maxwell Award), Will Anderson Jr. – Alabama (Chuck Bednarik Award), Sean Clifford – Penn State (The Brian Westbrook Regional Player of the Year Award), Drake Maye –North Carolina (Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award), Willie Fritz –Tulane University (George Munger Collegiate Coach of the Year Award) and Joe Klecko – New York Jets (The MFC Legends Award presented by Mohegan Pennsylvania). The Club will be announcing additional winners this week.

Tickets for the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Gala are available for purchase on the Club’s website https://maxwellfootballclub.org/purchase-tickets/ or by calling 215-643-3833.

 

Questions concerning any of the Maxwell Football Club’s awards or programs can be directed to MFC Executive Director Mark Wolpert at info@maxwellfootballclub.org.