The Butkus Award® began in 1985 and is one of the top two position awards in college football. It is the only Award currently given at the professional, collegiate, and high school level, and one of the few honoring a living legend. The Butkus family received rights to the Butkus Award in 2008. They now seek to leverage the Award’s prestige and visibility for the marketing benefit of a corporate partner and to advance associated causes. Selection is managed by a panel of “51” leading coaches, recruiters, scouts and journalists, led by Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly. The Award honors Dick Butkus, a Hall of Fame (1979) middle linebacker whom Sports Illustrated has described as “The Most Feared Man of the Game.” Following the 1973 conclusion of his professional career due to knee injuries, Butkus enjoyed a career in fitness, insurance and entertainment.