text size

Earl Campbell Namesake of College Football's Newest Award

Updated: Thursday, August 30 2012, 04:35 AM CDT
A hero in Tyler, Texas, Earl Campbell already has a pretty hefty piece of hardware named after him in his hometown.

"Most people just get a street or a star named after them, I got a parkway," says Campbell, the namesake of Earl Campbell Parkway in Tyler.

We still don't know the answer to why you drive on a parkway and park on a driveway but Wednesday the former Longhorn put the petal to the metal on college football's newest award.

Starting in December 2013, The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award will be presented annually to the nation's best offensive college football player. The award recipient must be a senior. Remember, Campbell won the University of Texas' first ever Heisman Trophy in 1977. His senior season on the Forty Acres.

"After I won the Heisman, I had something that everybody wanted but they didn't know how I got there," says the two-time All-American. "I got it done by hard work. That's the message I hope to share with youngsters."

The award will go to a player who exhibits integrity, determination, acheivement in the face of adversity, tenacity and drive. More than just the type of drive you need to cruise down Earl Campbell Parkway.Earl Campbell Namesake of College Football's Newest Award