Nov. 17, 2015 The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that it will salute the thousands of student-athletes who have played football at the nation's military academies over the years by honoring one representative of each branch as a co-recipient of the 2015 NFF Distinguished American Award.
2015 Distinguished American Award Recipients
Rear Adm. Bill Byrne - United States Naval Academy
Capt. Jared Tew - United States Air Force Academy
Maj. Graham White - United States Military Academy
"The goal in honoring these three outstanding former football players is to clearly demonstrate football's role in developing our nation's military's leaders and that our country is better because of their football experiences, which have prepared them to defend our nation," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "These three exceptional leaders serve as shining examples of football's role in the educational mission at our nation's military academies. We take great pride in honoring them and their exceptional records of achievement."
One of the most prestigious honors presented by the NFF, the Distinguished American Award recognizes an outstanding person who has maintained a lifetime of interest in the game and who, over a long period of time, has exhibited enviable leadership qualities and made a significant contribution to the betterment of amateur football in the United States. Each of the three award winners will be honored at the 58th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8 at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.
"These gentlemen embody the NFF's motto of Building Leaders Through Football," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "As athletes, warriors, scholars, and, always, as leaders, they have served their nation and fellow soldiers well in both war and peace. And each attributes their football experiences as having played a big role in their successes. The National Football Foundation is honored to recognize them as 'Distinguished Americans.'"
First bestowed in 1966, the NFF Distinguished American Award is presented on special occasions when a truly deserving candidate emerges. Byrne, Tew and White will become the 43rd, 44th and 45th recipients of the award, joining an impressive list of previous honorees that includes George Bodenheimer, Major Gen. Charles F. Bolden, Jr., Tom Brokaw, Lt. Gen. William Carpenter, Bob Hope, Vince Lombardi, General Ray Odierno, Alan Page, T. Boone Pickens, Jimmy Stewart, Pat Tillman and Gen. James A. Van Fleet.
"Presenting Bill Byne, Jared Tew and Graham White with the Distinguished American Award continues a cherished tradition at the NFF of honoring our nation's greatest military leaders with a connection to football," said Hatchell. "They represent the strong parallels between the playing field and the battle field. Nobody articulated the connection better than General Douglas MacArthur when he famously said: 'Upon the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that, upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory.'"
Rear Adm. Bill Byrne Bio
U.S. Naval Academy
Raised in Pacifica, Calif., Bill Byrne traveled coast-to-coast in 1983 to enroll in the Naval Academy Prep School in Newport, R.I., before making his way to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., the following year. He starred as a quarterback for the Midshipmen, leading the team in passing each season from 1984-86.
Just one of three quarterbacks in Navy history to throw for more than 1,000 yards in three different seasons, Byrne holds the school record for career touchdown passes (29) and ranks second in school history in career completions (381), single-game passing yards (399) and career passing yards (4,582). A co-captain of the 1986 Midshipmen, he also holds the school record for single-game completions (37). Byrne graduated with a B.S. in political science in 1987. He also received a M.A. in national resource strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in 2004.
Byrne's sea assignments have included gunnery officer and main propulsion assistant aboard the USS Cook, anti-submarine warfare officer aboard the USS Lake Champlain, weapons officer and combat systems officer aboard the USS Vincennes and executive officer aboard the USS Leyte Gulf. He also commanded the USS Halyburton and USS Cape St. George. His assignments on land have included aide/flag lieutenant to the Commander of the Naval Forces, Marianas in Guam, and several Pentagon tours including resource sponsor for the Director, Surface Warfare, warfare analyst for the Director, Warfare Integration and division chief for Antiterrorism/Force Protection Programs in the Operations Directorate of the Joint Staff.
Byrne's recent tours include chief of staff for the Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet and the commandant of midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in April 2015 and his decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation and Achievement Medals and various unit and service awards. He assumed command of U.S. Naval Forces in Korea on Aug. 5, 2015.
"I think the most valuable lesson I learned was adaptability, to think on my feet and make adjustments on the fly," Adm. Byrne wrote upon learning he would be accepting the 2015 NFF Distinguished American Award. "Because nothing ever goes perfectly in life, or in combat, and even the best battle plans rarely survive first contact with the enemy. Playing football, and especially playing quarterback, taught me to recognize what the defense was giving me and, if necessary, change the play by calling an audible at the line of scrimmage."
Capt. Jared Tew Bio
U.S. Air Force Academy
A three-year letterman on the U.S. Air Force Academy football team, Jared Tew says his greatest moment as a Falcon was winning the 2009 Armed Forces Bowl in his junior year. The Park City, Utah, native rushed for an academy bowl record 173 yards and two touchdowns in the 47-20 win over Houston, tying a school record for the longest touchdown run in a bowl game (71).
A two-year starter, Tew led Air Force to a 25-14 record, while rushing for 1,897 yards and 17 touchdowns on 416 carries in his career. In 2009, he was named Second Team All-Mountain West after rushing for a team-leading 970 yards, which ranked third in the conference.
Tew had his most success in bowl games, rushing for a total of 381 yards and five touchdowns in three postseason appearances. He ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns in the 2008 Armed Forces Bowl, and he was named the game's offensive MVP. Tew also earned offensive MVP honors in the 2010 Independence Bowl after scoring a fourth-quarter touchdown to secure the Falcons' 14-7 win over Georgia Tech.
He earned a B.S. in Business Management from Air Force in 2011, and he has served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force since graduation. Tew was ranked as the No. 1 wingman in the 35th Fighter Squadron during a one-year deployment at the Kunsan Air Base in Korea. He is currently flying the F-16 Fightin' Falcon at the Aviano Air Base in Italy.
"Football has provided me a foundation for my career and personal life as I learned principles of hard work, teamwork, commitment and dedication," Tew wrote upon learning he would be accepting the 2015 NFF Distinguished American Award."The life lessons and character building we developed together as a team could not have been duplicated elsewhere. I am a better person and owe much of who I am today to the opportunity I had to participate in the sport of football."
Maj. Graham White Bio
U.S. Military Academy
Having a father with more than 31 years' experience in the U.S. Army, Graham White was destined to follow in his footsteps. A Johns Creek, Ga., native, White joined the Georgia National Guard at the age of 17, and he volunteered for Airborne School training under a program called "Split Option." He completed basic training during the summer between his junior and senior year at Chattahoochee High School. In his final year at Chattahoochee, White served as the Cougars' starting punter, and he was a First Team All-State selection and the team's Offensive Player of the Year. He was later inducted into the Chattahoochee Cougar Gridiron Hall of Fame.
White went on to be a two-year letterman as a punter at Army West Point, and he holds the school record for career punting average (44.1 yards). A 1998 First Team All-Conference USA honoree, he was invited to play in the 1999 Blue-Gray Classic. White ranks second in academy history in single-season punting average (44.7), and ninth in single-season punting yards (2,711 in 1999) and career punting yards (4,812). He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy with a B.S. in Military Arts & Sciences in 2000.
After training for a year to be an infantry officer in Fort Benning, Ga., White spent 15 months as an assistant operations officer and airborne platoon leader with the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. His first deployment lasted two years as a battle captain and ranger platoon leader with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. In 2004, White returned to Fort Benning for another year of training. He spent a year as an assistant operations officer with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team before a two-year deployment to Iraq as commander and fusion cell director of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
White served nearly five years as the commander of the 3-75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan before returning to the U.S. to earn his master's in American foreign policy from Johns Hopkins University (Md.) in 2013. He spent four months as a special operations liaison for the Army in Washington D.C., and 18 months as a battalion executive officer in Hawaii. He then served as a major and brigade operations officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team. His service includes 10 combat deployments totaling 39 months divided between Iraq and Afghanistan. His numerous awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal for Valor, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge. Major White is a charter member of the Georgia Military Veteran's Hall of Fame.
"The parallels between football and soldiering are striking," Maj. White wrote upon learning he would be accepting the 2015 NFF Distinguished American Award. "Football taught me how to deal with stress and how to rise to the occasion (an important play or critical game); the importance of timing (seconds matter); the value of preparation (every rep counts); and the necessity to trust in and play for the man on the left and right (the brotherhood). As a Soldier, these same lessons manifested themselves hundreds of times throughout my career, allowing me to follow, lead, and survive - particularly in combat."
As co-recipients of the Distinguished American Award, the three 2015 honorees will be recognized Dec. 8 alongside the other 2015 NFF Major Award winners, including former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (NFF Gold Medal), placekicking revolutionaries Charlie Gogolak and Pete Gogolak (NFF Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award), Michigan State Director of Athletics Mark Hollis (NFF John L. Toner Award for excellence in athletics administration) and LSU broadcaster Jim Hawthorne (NFF Chris Schenkel Award for excellence in broadcasting). The NFF will also present Legacy Awards to former Big 12 Senior Associate Commissioner Donnie Duncan and former SEC Commissioner Mike Slive.
In addition to the presentation of the NFF Major Awards, the 58th NFF Annual Awards Dinner will provide the stage for the induction of the 2015 College Football Hall of Fame Class; the awarding of the 2015 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments; and the bestowing of the 26th NFF William V. Campbell Trophy, presented by Fidelity Investments, to the nation's top football scholar-athlete.
This year's College Football Hall of Fame Class includes: Trev Alberts (Nebraska), Brian Bosworth (Oklahoma), Bob Breunig (Arizona State), Sean Brewer (Millsaps [Miss.]), Ruben Brown (Pittsburgh), Wes Chandler (Florida), Thom Gatewood (Notre Dame), Dick Jauron (Yale), Clinton Jones (Michigan State), Lincoln Kennedy (Washington), the late Rob Lytle (Michigan), Michael Payton (Marshall), Art Still (Kentucky), Zach Thomas (Texas Tech), Ricky Williams (Texas) and coaches Bill Snyder (Kansas State) and Jim Tressel (Youngstown State, Ohio State).
The 2015 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments, includes: E.K. Binns (Navy), Jacoby Boren (Ohio State), Jake Brendel (UCLA), Taveze Calhoun (Mississippi State), Derek Crittenden (Montana), Ty Darlington (Oklahoma), Jordan Dobrich (Nevada), Spencer Drango (Baylor), Blake Frohnapfel (Massachusetts), Jordan Italiano (Kent State), Hank Spencer (Mount Union [Ohio]) and Jason Vander Laan (Ferris State [Mich.]). The recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy will be announced live at the event on Dec. 8.
For information regarding the 58th NFF Annual Awards Dinner, please contact NFF Director of External Relations Will Rudd at 972-556-1000 or wrudd@footballfoundation.com.
Previous NFF Distinguished American Award Recipients:
2014 - No honoree
2013 - Gen. Ray Odierno
2012 - George Bodenheimer
2011 - Dr. Archie Roberts
2010 - Tom Brokaw
2009 - Billy Payne
2008 - T. Boone Pickens
2007 - Rocky Bleier
2006 - Pat Tillman
2005 - Hon. Alan Page
2004 - Robert F. Casciola
2003 - Dr. Robert C. Khayat
2002 - George B. Young
2001 - Dr. James Frank
2000 - Arthur J. Decio
1999 - No honoree
1998 - Roy Kramer
1997 - No honoree
1996 - J. Donald Monan, S.J.
1995 - Tom Osborne
1994 - Charles F. Bolden, Jr.
1993 - Dick Kazmaier
1992 - Wellington Mara
1991 - Joe Paterno
1990 - Pete Rozelle
1989 - Edward "Moose" Krause
1988 - Joe Rodgers
1987 - Ike Sewell
1986 - John L. Toner
1985 - Bill Flynn
1984 - David Nelson
1983 - Leon Hess and Jimmy Stewart
1982 - Silver Anniversary - all honored
1981 - David Sonny Werblin
1980 - Fred Russell
1979 - John W. Galbreath
1978 - No honoree
1977 - Rev. Edmund P. Joyce
1976 - James A. Van Fleet
1975 - Rev. Theodore Hesburgh
1974 - Bob Hope
1973 - No honoree
1972 - Dr. Jerome H. Holland
1971 - Dr. Frank Boyden
1970 - Vince Lombardi
1969 - Archibald MacLeish
1968 - No honoree
1967 - No honoree
1966 - William Carpenter
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters and 12,000 members nationwide, NFF programs include FootballMatters.org, the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, The William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Fidelity Investments, annual scholarships of more than $1.3 million and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Herff Jones, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, PrimeSport, SKP, the Sports Business Journal and Under Armour. Learn more at www.footballfoundation.org.
