Continuing its presence as the nation's premier football organization, the Maxwell Football Club once again returns to Atlantic City for another star-studded gala honoring the top athletes and citizens in football.
The festivities culminate on Friday evening during the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Dinner which will be hosted by Harrah's Atlantic City Resort. Top NFL and college stars, Hall of Fame legends, broadcasters and journalists all convene on Atlantic City as the eyes of the football world turn to the Jersey shore for one night.
Coming off a storybook and record-setting season that saw New Orleans win its first ever Super Bowl, Drew Brees has been selected as the 2009 Bert Bell Professional Player of the Year. Last year, it was the Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson who held the hardware in his hands.
Mardi Gras came early this year as Sean Payton, the head coach of the Saints, has been selected as the 2009 Greasy Neale Professional Coach of the Year.
A two-time finalist for the Heisman Award, University of Texas quarterback and future NFL star Colt McCoy was announced as the winner of the 73rd Maxwell Award as the College Player of the Year, an award won by Tim Tebow last season. Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was named as the recipient of the 15th Chuck Bednarik Award as the Collegiate Defensive Player of the Year.
Continuing a fine tradition, Gary Patterson, the head football coach at Texas Christian University, has been selected as the winner of the 21st George Munger Award as College Coach of the Year.
Perhaps the most physically dominant lineman of this year's recruiting class, Philadelphia's Sharrif Floyd was almost unstoppable for George Washington High School en route to being named a U.S. Army All-American. He is the winner of the National High School Player of the Year award.
Locally, Matthew Szczur, of Villanova University, has been selected as the 2009 Tri-State Player of the Year and Temple University head football coach Al Golden has been named the Tri-State Coach of the Year. Villanova University head football coach Andy Talley will be presented with the Club's President's Award in recognition of his accomplishments in leading the Wildcats to the 2009 NCAA National Championship.
The formal presentation of the awards will be Friday evening during the Maxwell Football Club National Awards Dinner which will be hosted by Harrah's Atlantic City Resort. Tickets to the event are available and can be purchased on the Club's website (www.maxwellfootballclub.org) or by calling 215-643-3833.
-- Posted by Bob Kent, 9:35 a.m., March 3