Three Alabama Offensive Linemen Make the Top 25 Rotary Lombardi Award Finalists

The Rotary Lombardi Award announced its top 25 quarter finalists for 2012. According to the Rotary Lombardi Award organization, “The Rotary Lombardi Award goes annually to the college football lineman — offense or defense — who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi.”

Each year, a committee of almost 400 of America’s more prominent college football coaches, football writers, sports broadcasters and previous Rotary Lombardi Award winners and finalists participate in the three-tiered balloting process. The selection committee selects twelve semifinalists, four finalists and the ultimate winner.

Three of Alabama’s players have made the top 25 list. Barrett Jones (OL), Chance Warmack (OL) and D.J. Fluker (OL) were included on the 43^rd annual official semifinalists list announced on Oct. 6. Former All-American linebacker Cornelius Bennett is the only Alabama player to have ever won the Lombardi Award, accepting the honor in 1986.

Vincent Thomas Lombardi was one of the most successful coaches in the history of American Football. He was the coach of the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1968, helping the team to five NFL championships during his time there. Lombardi is known for the kind of mental and physical toughness his teams characteristically displayed. The physical trophy is a 40-pound block of granite atop a silver pedestal.

The Rotary Lombardi Award is hosted by the Rotary Club of Houston and benefits the American Cancer Society. The Award was initiated by the Rotary Club in 1970 shortly after the death of Vince Lombardi from cancer. The Rotary Lombardi Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association.