Georgia’s Pollack gets inaugural Lott Trophy

Rick Devereux

The clutter of collegiate awards often times overlap.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy recognizes the year’s outstanding

player.

So does the Maxwell Award.

And the Walter Camp Award.

The Chuck Bednarik Award and the Bronko Nagurski Award both honor

the top defensive player of the year.

So the addition of the Ronnie Lott Trophy, which goes to the

defensive player who had the most impact on and off the field for his

team, might have been lost in the shuffle of the different collegiate

honors.

That is why it is somewhat amazing celebrities such as former

Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Marcus Allen and Hall of Fame coach

Bill Walsh, were in attendance at the Pacific Club Sunday night for

the inaugural award presentation.

“We wanted a trophy that was different than all the other awards

out there,” said Bob Christiano, a member of the Pacific Club Board

of Directors. “This award is based on character.”

The winner -- end David Pollack from the University of Georgia --

was chosen by coaches and media as the player who had the biggest

IMPACT, an acronym that stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance,

Academics and Tenacity.

The other two finalists were linebacker Derrick Johnson from the

University of Texas and free safety Jim Leonhard from the University

of Wisconsin.

For Pollack, who has traveled to award presentations from Houston

to Charlotte, N.C, the trip to Newport Beach has been the most

enjoyable.

“You can’t beat this weather,” he said. “I’ve been to a couple

different cities, but this has been the best.”

Pollack won the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top lineman, the

Hendricks Award as the top defensive end and the Bednarik Award.

The senior was named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player

of the Year after finishing with 32 solo tackles and 48 total

tackles, including 9.5 sacks. He also recovered two fumbles and

picked off a pass.

The history major is part of a senior class that led Georgia to a

four-year record of 41-10, which ranks sixth best in the country.

He joins Herschel Walker as the only other Bulldog to be named

first team All-American three times.

Pollack, 6-foot-3 and 276 pounds, will lead the University of

Georgia in the Outback Bowl New Year’s Day in Tampa Bay against

Leonhard’s Badgers.

The University of Georgia will receive $25,000 in Pollack’s name,

as will the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Pat Tillman

Foundation.

Johnson won the Nagurski Trophy and the Dick Butkus Award for his

standout play as a linebacker with the Longhorns.

“Sports figures are role models,” said Ron Moeckel, regional

director of the Boys and Girls Club of America. “This award shows

kids why athletes are role models, especially with some of the

headlines recently on the sports pages.”

Moeckel said he hears children discussing athletes who are under

investigation for steroids or fighting with fans, but the Lott

Trophy’s emphasis on character makes the award that much more

special.

“This shows that people can still believe in athletes,” he said.

The Pacific Club hopes the award will continue to showcase Orange

County.

“This brings the right type of visibility to Orange County,”

Pacific Club President Jim Quandt said. “Orange County is known for

awards and honors, but mostly in business. This puts us right there

athletically.”

Quandt joked the leading industry in Orange County is producing

Heisman winners after former Mater Dei quarterback Matt Leinart

joined former Santa Margarita quarterback Carson Palmer and former

Monarch John Huarte as the top player in college football.

While Pollack can claim to be the first collegiate winner, the

first recipient was awarded posthumously to Pat Tillman, the All-Pro

safety for the Arizona Cardinals who quit the NFL to become an Army

Ranger following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The former Arizona

State standout died in Afghanistan April 22.