Even for a linebacker celebrated for covering a lot of ground, Notre Dame’s Manti Te’o had a busy, productive Monday.
He was named the Butkus Award winner via a phone call from Dick Butkus in the morning and, while he awaiting the presentation of the Bronco Nagurski Trophy in Charlotte, N.C., Te’o found out he is one of three finalists for the 78th Heisman Trophy.
"He was totally engaged in this (Nagurski) award" when the Heisman announcement came, Te’o’s father, Brian, texted the Star-Advertiser Monday.
The Heisman will be presented Saturday in New York on ESPN.
A Butkus Award goes to the top linebacker in the pros, college and high school. Te’o won the high school version in 2008 while a senior at Punahou School. The Nagurski Trophy goes to the leading defensive player.
Te’o helped lead Notre Dame this season to a 12-0 record and berth in the Jan. 7 Bowl Championship Series national title game against Alabama.
"Manti Te’o embodies the toughness, intensity, competitiveness and on-field demeanor of a throwback performer like Dick Butkus himself," said Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly, who oversaw the Butkus voting.
"Te’o was the first ever High School Butkus winner (2008), and he has lived up to all the expectations and positioned his team for a chance at the national championship," Arkush said on the award’s website. "He has been an inspiration to his team and community, and has served as a model citizen."
Te’o is also a finalist for the Maxwell Award (college player of the year), Chuck Bednarik Award (college defensive player of the year), Lott Impact Trophy (defensive player of the year), Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and Lombardi Trophy (outstanding lineman).
