HUTCHINSON WINS!
Aidan Hutchinson wins the 48th Rotary Lombardi Award
Dec 9, 2021, 11:13 am
Aidan Hutchinson takes home the award.
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.
Most Popular
SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome
Listen Live
Jalen Green and Fred VanVleet had 21 points each and the Houston Rockets built a huge lead early and coasted to a 127-100 win over the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.
Houston never trailed and had built a 25-point lead by halftime. The Rockets were up by 27 points when coach Ime Udoka cleared the bench with about 6½ minutes remaining.
Alperen Sengun added 16 points for the Rockets, who won for the fourth time in five games. VanVleet had 10 assists and seven rebounds — both season-highs — to go with his top scoring effort of the season.
Victor Wembanyama had 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks for the Spurs, who lost a second straight game. They were playing a third consecutive game without coach Gregg Popovich, who is out indefinitely while recovering from an illness. Mitch Johnson is filling in as interim coach while the 75-year-old Popovich, who did not travel with the team on this road trip, is out.
Takeaways
Spurs: San Antonio’s defense suffered Wednesday in its first game without top on-ball defender Jeremy Sochan, who suffered a fractured left thumb that will require surgery in Monday’s game. Rookie Stephon Castle, who started in his place, will need to step up with Sochan likely out for an extended period.
Rockets: After failing to play consistently for four quarters in the last two games, Houston finally put together a complete game against the Spurs.
Key moment
The Rockets were up by 7 with about five minutes left in the first quarter before using a 7-0 run, with the first five points by VanVleet, to make it 22-8. The Spurs didn’t get closer than 10 points after that.
Key stat
The Rockets dominated inside, outscoring the Spurs 66-46 in the paint.
Up next
San Antonio hosts Portland on Thursday night and the Rockets visit Oklahoma City on Friday night.
_______________
Fans of Houston sports and Houston food can now score tickets to The Tailgate, CultureMap's all-out party devoted to everyone’s favorite way to get in the gameday spirit. The event, presented by Verizon, goes down from 6-9 pm November 11 at 8th Wonder. Tickets are $75 for VIP and $50 for General Admission. For a limited time, we’re giving you $10 off; use code SPORTSMAP at checkout. Get your tickets now!