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Max Browne, quarterback from Skyline High
School, Sammamish, Wash., gives an acceptance speech after winning
the U.S. Army Player of the Year award at the 2013 U.S. Army
All-American Bowl Awards Dinner at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel in
San Antonio Jan. 4, 2012. Photo by Jade Fulce
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January 5, 2013 - Nearly 1,000 people attended the dinner
to include senior Army leaders, professional athletes, and
community members.
The dinner recognized the top
football high school student athletes from across the
country for their athletic and academic achievement.
Max Browne, quarterback from Skyline High School,
Sammamish, Wash., won the U.S. Army Player of the Year
award, which is given to the nation's most outstanding
senior high school football player and considered one of
high school football's highest honors.
Browne was
presented a trophy modeled Ken “Sugar Land Express” Hall,
who was high school football's all-time leading rusher.
Winners of this award have demonstrated a commitment to
excellence on the field and in their daily lives --
representing the same strengths and values demonstrated by
Army Soldiers including loyalty, duty, respect, selfless
service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
Johnny Townsend, punter from Boone High School, won the
Felix "Doc" Blanchard Award. Wide receiver Corey Robinson,
from San Antonio Christian School in San Antonio, won the
Glenn Davis Award.
The Blanchard and Davis Awards are given
to the two players who best exemplify the U.S. Army's high
standard of excellence in the community service, education,
and athletic distinction.
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Offensive lineman Steve
Elmer, from Midland High School in Midland, Mich., won the
Anthony Munoz Lineman of the Year Award.
The
inaugural U.S. Army - Pro Football Hall Fame Award for
Excellence, which recognizes the top sophomore or junior
student who exemplify similar strengths to Army Soldiers,
winner was Nate Lowis.
The keynote speaker was hall
of famer Marcus Allen, who played 16 seasons in the National
Football League, playing with the Los Angeles Raiders and
Kansas City Chiefs. During that time he gained 12,243 yards
rushing, 5,411 yards receiving, and scored 145 touchdowns.
Allen talked about his childhood experiences, the
valuable lessons he learned in life, and his appreciation
for all the speed bumps along the way.
"I worked
extremely hard," Allen said. "I was committed. I studied. I
stayed out of trouble, did not drink, did not smoke. I did
not do any of those things... I wanted to make something of
myself."
He challenged the players to commit to hard
work, self discipline, to never get sidetracked, and to take
the road less travelled. Allen also cautioned the athletes
to not go to the next level with a chip on their shoulders
or some sense of entitlement. Instead, have a "one star
attitude" and earn it.
"Practice is where you learn
your skill and develop as a player," Allen said.
The
dinner also honored Soldier Heroes who have served in Iraq
and Afghanistan, as well as those who have been recognized
for excellence throughout the Army.
All proceeds from
the dinner benefit the Rotary Club's youth programs such as
the Sam J. Riklin Rotary Diploma Plus Program, a unique
dropout prevention program for local at-risk students; the
Youth Educational Foundation, which provides college
scholarships to San Antonio youth; and Kingdom for Kids -- a
program to build state-of-the-art playgrounds at
disadvantaged elementary schools in the San Antonio area.
The Rotary Club is an organization whose main
objective is service in the community and throughout the
world.
By Jade Fulce
U.S. Army Installation Management Command
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2013
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