Archie Griffin -- former Cincinnati Bengals running back and the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner -- spoke about faith, family life and his relationship with the legendary Ohio State Coach Woody Hayes at the 2020 Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet.
Designed to honor 2019's Most Valuable Players at Arkansas colleges, along with high school players and coaches of the year from each high school classification, the event underwent a time and venue change this year. Instead of a buffet dinner at the Embassy Suites, it took place as a buffet luncheon Jan. 9 at the Doubletree by Hilton Little Rock.
Among the top honorees were Kyle Dugger of North Carolina's Lenoir-Rhyne University, presented with the Cliff Harris Award; and Roland Rivers III of Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania, presented with the Harlon Hill Award.
The club's Dan Hampton Award went to Blayne Toll of Hazen High School. Presented with Willie Roaf awards were Cori Gooseberry of Ouachita Baptist University and Jaden Muskrat of Bentonville West High School.
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Earning Darren McFadden awards were Brockton Brown of OBU and Brandon Thomas of North Little Rock High School. Jake Meadors of Bryant High School was named the National Football Foundation's National Scholar Athlete.
Special banquet guests included new Pro Football Hall of Famer Harris and Roaf, for whom two of the awards are named, and former Arkansas Razorback basketball standout Allie Freeman. Freeman was there to represent his football-player son, also Allie Freeman, named Most Valuable Player for OBU.
Arkansas Razorback defensive lineman McTelvin "Sosa" Agim, recipient of the Paul Eells Award, offered his acceptance speech via video. Named for the late announcer and "Voice of the Razorbacks," the award is presented yearly to an outstanding Arkansas player.
Recognized as outstanding announcers were Kevin Johnson of Mountain View and Matt Stolz of Arkansas State University, each presented with the Sully Award. Named for KATV Sports Director Steve Sullivan, the honor highlights the top broadcast play call during high school and college football games for the season.
Topping off the luncheon was club founder David Bazzel's onstage interview of Griffin, who posed for photos with attendees afterward.
High Profile on 01/19/2020