The Award:

In 1997, the Charlotte Touchdown Club initiated the High School Defensive Player of the Year Award. This award is given annually to an area high school football player who has excelled in the four areas of our charter: Scholarship, Sportsmanship, Leadership, and Citizenship. We feel the sport of football teaches young men the very fundamentals that inspire the growth of our future leaders. The winner’s school will receive a $2,000.00 honorarium, directed to the Athletic Department, in the name of the award recipient. The recipient will be recognized for his achievement at the annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards and will receive a certificate and trophy for his inspiration through example. The winner is chosen by a review panel selected by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. All finalists receive a certificate designating them as such for this award.

Award Criteria:

All applicants must be in their senior year of high school football and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. Five specific areas are evaluated on each applicant. These areas are:

• Scholarship
• Athletic Achievements
• Sportsmanship
• Leadership
• Citizenship