University of Florida center Maurkice Pouncey formally received the 2009 Rimington Trophy Saturday night in front of a capacity crowd at the Rococo Theatre in downtown Lincoln, Neb. Former North Carolina State center Jim Ritcher was also on hand to accept the 2009 President Gerald R. Ford Legends Award.

The evening doubled as a fundraiser, with donations supporting the Boomer Esiason Foundation and cystic fibrosis research.

Pouncey, who recently declared his intent to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, was joined by his twin brother Mike and parents Rob and Lisa Webster. The junior from Lakeland, Florida was key to a Gators offensive line that finished the 2009 season ranked first in total offense and second in rushing offense, en route to a Sugar Bowl title.

Pouncey is only the second Gator to be named a Rimington Trophy finalist (Mike Degory was the first in 2005), and the first to win the award.

Ritcher, who currently works as a pilot for American Airlines, is best known in the collegiate ranks for being the first center to win the prestigious Outland Trophy. His career at NC State was highly successful and culminated in 1979 with an Atlantic Coast Conference title. In the NFL, Ritcher proved to be extremely durable and versatile. A rookie with the Buffalo Bills at the start of the 1980 season, Ritcher would spend 14 seasons with the Bills before finishing his last two with the Atlanta Falcons.

“I can’t think of a better, more deserving recipient of this great award than my friend Jimmy Ritcher. I commend the Ford Award committee for their selection,” said former Bills quarterback Jim Kelly, whose videotaped message was played for the audience as part of Ritcher’s introduction.

University of Wisconsin Athletic Director Barry Alvarez delivered the keynote address, while former University of Nebraska great Irving Fryar also addressed the audience. Jerry Cahill, a 53-year-old cystic fibrosis survivor, also shared his story and implored the audience to continue their support of cystic fibrosis research. Cahill is currently the Volunteer Director for Education and Team Boomer at the Boomer Esiason Foundaiton.



*Photo Credit: Mark Schwaninger, Lincoln Journal Star