ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.,
Jan. 19, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --
Each year, the East-West Shrine Game presents the Pat Tillman Award to recognize the player who
best exemplifies intelligence, sportsmanship, and service. The
award celebrates a student athlete's achievements and conduct on
and off the football field. The 2019 recipient is University of Utah linebacker, Cody Barton.
Throughout his career, Barton has demonstrated a relentless
drive and great awareness on the field, frustrating offenses like
the man for which the award is named. He registered 92 tackles,
including 10.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, and an interception over 53
games. His Shrine Game coaches describe him as a true leader who
outworked everyone in practices, had a smile on his face the entire
week, and understands the true meaning of the Shrine Game with his
interactions with the patients at Shriners Hospitals for
Children.
"The award is a tribute to the late Pat
Tillman, a man who demonstrated to a nation that true
service is the willingness to sacrifice one's own dreams, so that
others may continue to pursue theirs," said Utah defensive coordinator, Morgan Scalley, who earned the first
Pat Tillman Award when he played in
the 2005 Shrine Game. "Cody's leadership, work ethic, intelligence,
and sacrifice are what we hope every player aspires to demonstrate
while at the University of Utah."
"Pat Tillman's ideals, strength
and convictions made him an American hero, so winning this award is
a tremendous honor," said Utah
head coach Kyle Whittingham. "Cody
has embodied the values associated with the Pat Tillman Award during his career at
Utah and we are proud to have him
join Morgan Scalley as a
Pat Tillman Award winner."
Barton started his Shrine Game experience with a visit to
Shriners Hospitals for Children-Tampa, where he played with
patients on the basketball court, taking photos and signing
autographs. He spent the week practicing with his teammates under
West head coach Adam Zimmer,
linebackers coach for the Minnesota Vikings.
"I am very grateful to receive this award and to everyone who
makes it possible," said Barton. "Pat
Tillman was a great leader, a humble man who served others,
who stepped away from the spotlight to serve our country. This week
was a great experience to reach out to others and touch their
lives."
About the East-West Shrine Game
The East-West Shrine Game is the longest-running college all-star
football game in the country and features some of the highest-rated
players in the projected NFL draft ranking. While the teams are
divided by East and West, the players come together for the
beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children. For more
information, visit http://www.shrinegame.com.
About Shriners Hospitals for Children
Shriners Hospitals for Children is changing lives every day through
innovative pediatric specialty care, world-class research and
outstanding medical education. The 22 locations in the United States, Canada and Mexico provide advanced care for children with
orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip
and palate.
Shriners Hospitals for Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization and relies on the generosity of donors. All donations
are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. To learn
more about Shriners Hospitals for Children, please visit
http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.
SOURCE East-West Shrine Game