ABOUT THE CLUB

PRESS RELEASES

U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY’S D.J. PALMORE DEFENDER OF THE NATION WEEKLY PLAYER PROFILE

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Bio: The son of Darren and Terri Palmore, Palmore is majoring in economics and earned a 3.20-grade point average in the spring. Palmore was elected co-captain by his teammates, one of the highest honors a Navy football player can receive and enters the fall as a starter at outside linebacker. Palmore has been one of Navy’s top players on defense in each of the last two seasons. Palmore’s good speed and toughness at the point of attack allows him to be equally effective in pass coverage and against the run. Palmore has earned three varsity letters.

 

Stats: 2016- Starter in 12 games- was the team’s fourth-leading tackler with 56 while leading the team in both sacks (6) and tackles for loss (11.5)… Also broke up four passes, forced a fumble and blocked a kick.

 

Quote from U.S. Naval Academy Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo:  “DJ Palmore is one of the best student-athletes that I have ever coached.  On the field, he is our defensive team captain. A very prestigious award voted on by his teammates.  As a football player, he does it all.  He is very strong against the run.  He is a relentless pass rusher and he is a very good pass coverage defender. He leads by example.  He is one of the hardest workers on the team.  Last week he tackled a running back in the backfield thinking he had the ball.  When he realized that the QB kept the ball, he chased the QB down and tackled him 40 yards down the field. One of the greatest demonstrations of effort that I have ever witnessed in my 28 years of coaching. He is a young man of impeccable character.  He demonstrates integrity in all aspects of his life.  He is a very good student, teammate, and classmate.  He is a person who stands out as a true leader in an institution that excels in leadership training and development.  He leads his teammates. He also serves the community in the summer by volunteering at youth football clinics.”

 

The recipient of the Defender of the Nation Award will be selected on November 1st from one of the Nation’s (9) military academies and institutions including Air Force Academy, The Citadel, Coast Guard Academy, Naval Academy, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, VMI and West Point and is based on exceptional leadership qualities on the field, in the classroom and in the community. The recipient must also exhibit a high standard of integrity by leading through example.

 

The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet presented by ACN will be held on Monday, December 4th at the Charlotte Convention Center.  In addition to honoring the 2017 Defender of the Nation Award winner, the banquet will celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy sponsored by ACN and Bronko Nagurski Legends Award sponsored by Florida East Coast Railway.  Notre Dame’s Ross Browner, a member of the FWAA’s 1976 All-America Team and a College Football Hall-of-Famer will be honored as the Legends Award winner and Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart is slated as the keynote speaker.

 

ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE TOUCHDOWN CLUB AND PRESENTING SPONSOR
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region.  Since its inception, the club has grown as well as diversified boasting a Sponsor Team of more than 80 companies.  The club’s activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches.  Through corporate and individual support, more than $2,000,000 has been raised to benefit the club’s scholarship efforts.  For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918 or jrocco@touchdownclub.mysites.io). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is www.touchdownclub.mysites.io.

 

THE INDEPENDENCE FUND
Moving Our Nation’s Wounded Heroes Towards Greater Independence! 
The Independence Fund’s mission is to support the Nation’s injured and wounded Veterans with the tools to achieve their independence and freedoms they have fought so hard to preserve!  It is a laser-focused non-profit organization that provides independence to severely wounded Veterans through mobility, wellness, and caregiver support.  Those who sacrifice for our country do so willingly with great pride and honor, and it is our privilege to serve them!

 

2016 DEFENDER OF THE NATION AWARD RECIPIENT: ANDREW KING

Andrew King, Cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point is the recipient of the inaugural Defender of the Nation Award.  A two-year starter at linebacker, King has served as Platoon Leader and Honor Officer and majors in Law and Legal Studies.  Jeff Monken, United States Military Academy Head Football Coach, commented, “Andrew is one of the finest young men I have been associated with during my coaching career.  He has the respect of everyone in the locker room as well as the Corps of Cadets for his character and his commitment to the United States Military Academy’s values of Duty, Honor, andCountry.  I am extremely proud of Andrew and what he has been able to accomplish at the Academy and he is truly one of America’s best.”

 

2017 DEFENDER OF THE NATION PLAYER PROFILES 
• September 21: U.S. Naval Academy / D.J. Palmore
• September 28: U.S. Air Force Academy / Name of Player Profile
• October 5: Virginia Tech Coast / Name of Player Profile
• October 12: Norwich Academy / Name of Player Profile
• October 19: U.S. Coast Guard Academy / Name of Player Profile
• October 26: Texas A&M University / Name of Player Profile
• November 2: West Point / Name of Player Profile
• November 9: Citadel / Name of Player Profile
• November 16: Virginia Military Institute / Name of Player Profile