HUTCHINSON WINS!
Aidan Hutchinson wins the 48th Rotary Lombardi Award
Dec 9, 2021, 11:13 am
HUTCHINSON WINS!
The Rotary Club of Houston announced Wednesday Michigan defensive end, Aidan Hutchinson, as the winner of the 48th Rotary Lombardi Award.
The Rotary Lombardi Award has been presented annually to the nation's top college football lineman (offense or defense) who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi. Hutchinson was joined by fellow finalists Tyler Linerbaum of Iowa, Mike Rose of Iowa State, and Kenyon Green of Texas A&M.
Hutchinson's season to this point has seen him amass 58 tackles and 14 sacks as a dominant force for the Wolverines. Hutchinson also helped Michigan end a nearly decade-long losing streak to Ohio State. He broke a school record for sacks held by his father Chris Hutchinson. Chris was in attendance at the event from Houston's Hilton Americas hotel to introduce his son and present him with his finalist plaque. The younger Hutchinson will attempt to put more space between him and his father in the record books as the Wolverines play the Georgia Bulldogs in the Orange Bowl.
Aidan joins former Michigan standout Lamar Woodley as the only Wolverines who have taken home the famous block of granite trophy presented to the Rotary Lombardi Award winner.
The eligible voters of the Rotary Lombardi Award include all head coaches of NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams, all former living winners, and finalists of the Rotary Lombardi Award, and selected members of the media.
The Rotary Club of Houston established the Rotary Lombardi Award in 1970 after Coach Vince Lombardi died from colon cancer. Lombardi's widow, Marie, blessed the award with the stipulation the net proceeds from the Award activities are contributed to cancer research to fight the disease that claimed the life of Coach Lombardi. Since the award’s inception in 1970, millions of dollars have been raised to help the American Cancer Society’s programs of cancer research and public education to cancer patients.
For the Houston Rockets, it's already been an exciting offseason, with the team trading for NBA superstar Kevin Durant earlier this week. The Rockets also inked extensions with big man Steven Adams and head coach Ime Udoka in recent weeks.
Apparently the action isn't slowing down as the Rockets have reportedly agreed to a contract extension with guard Fred VanVleet.
Senior ESPN NBA analyst Sham Charania is reporting that VanVleet intends to sign a 2-year, $50 million contract with Houston.
Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet intends to sign a two-year, $50 million contract to stay with the franchise, with a player option in 2026-27, sources tell ESPN. Rockets are declining VanVleet's $44.9 million team option and land the new deal with Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul. pic.twitter.com/rwtEUptBQT
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 25, 2025
Charania is also reporting that VanVleet has a player option for the 2026-2027 season.
In 60 games, VanVleet averaged just over 14 points and 5.6 assists per game last season.
This is a team-friendly deal for the Rockets that gets them below the luxury tax line, helping them avoid the repeater tax. It also opens up the full $14.1 million mid-level exception to add more talent to the roster. For VanVleet, it's more total money and an extra year of security.
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