Jim Ritcher, who was the first center in college football history to win the prestigious Outland Trophy, has been named the 2009 recipient of the President Gerald R. Ford Legends Award.

The award will be presented during the 10th Annual Rimington Trophy Presentation on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Rococo Theatre in Lincoln, Neb.

“I am blessed and truly honored to be the 2009 recipient of the Gerald R. Ford Legends Award. Being named in association with President Ford, the former recipients and the members of the Rimington Trophy-Boomer Esiason Foundation is significant because of their reputation for integrity,” Ritcher said.

To be considered for the President Gerald R. Ford Legends Award candidates must have either played the Center position at the collegiate or professional level; made extraordinary contributions to his team during his football career; or have proven to be an exemplary citizen, philanthropist or leader in the business or football community.

“We are thrilled to award Jim with this prestigious honor. Before the Rimington Trophy, he was one of only three centers in history to win a major college football award. Having made a successful 16-year career in the National Football League, Jim has established himself as one of the most outstanding centers of all time. I extend my sincere congratulations to Jim and his family,” BEF president Dave Rimington said.

A two-time All-America center at North Carolina State University, Ritcher provided a steady hand throughout the 1976-79 seasons. Twice he was awarded the Jacobs Trophy as the best blocker at the center position in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

During the 1979 season, Ritcher cleared the way as the Wolfpack captured the ACC title for the seventh time school history. At season’s end, he became the first center in history to win the Outland Trophy as the nation’s best interior lineman.

Ritcher later enjoyed a 16-year career in the National Football League with the Buffalo Bills and Atlanta Falcons, appearing in four Super Bowls.

On February 8, 1987, Ritcher’s jersey number 51 was officially retired in a ceremony at Carter-Finley Stadium. In 1998, Ritcher became the third player from NC State to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

He currently serves as a flight instructor and pilot for American Airlines.



About the President Gerald R. Ford Legends Award
The inaugural "Legends Center Award" was presented to and named after President Gerald R. Ford who played Center at the University of Michigan. Prior to serving as the 38th President of the United States, Ford was an offensive standout for the Wolverines and was a member of the 1932 and 1933 National Championship teams, both of which went undefeated. In 1934, Ford was named the Wolverines' MVP and later starred in San Francisco's East-West Shrine Game and the Chicago Tribune College All- Star Game.

The Award is entering its fourth year of recognizing individuals who have played the Center position at either the collegiate or professional level; have made extraordinary contributions to his team during his football career; or have proven to be exemplary citizens and contributors to the football and/or business communities, or through their own philanthropic endeavors. Past recipients include President Gerald R. Ford (2005), Jim Otto (2006), Alex Kroll (2007), and Bill Curry (2008).

About the Rimington Trophy
The Rimington Trophy is presented annually to the Most Outstanding Center in NCAA Division I-A College Football. Since its inception, the Rimington Trophy has raised over $1.3 million for its benefactor, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The ten-year old award is overseen by the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which is committed to finding a cure for cystic fibrosis and has raised over $73 million for CF Research.

Dave Rimington, the award's namesake, was a consensus first-team All-America center at the University of Nebraska in 1981 and 1982, during which time he became the John Outland Trophy's only double winner as the nation's finest college interior lineman.

For more on the Rimington Trophy and a list of past recipients, visit www.rimingtontrophy.com

About the NCFAA
The Rimington Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of the game’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information, visit the association’s official website, ncfaa.org.



Contact:
Seth Gonzales
Rimington Trophy Media Relations
646-292-7946
[email protected]