2010 Rotary Lombardi Award Winner

HOUSTON, December 8, 2010 - The Rotary Club of Houston announced today that Nick Fairley, a junior defensive tackle from Auburn University, is the winner of the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award, presented annually since 1970 to the nation's top college football lineman (offense or defense). In addition to outstanding ability and performance, the award recognizes the player who best exemplifies the discipline of the late coach, Vince Lombardi.
 

In addition to Fairley, other finalists for the award were Da'Quan Bowers, senior defensive end from Clemson; Adrian Clayborn, senior defensive end from the University of Iowa; and Jake Kirkpatrick, senior center from TCU.

Fairley, from Mobile, Ala., led Auburn, nation's number one team, with a school-record 21 tackles for loss on the Tiger's road to the BCS national championship game on January 10 against Oregon. He ranks second in the SEC with 10.5 quarterback sacks and has 55 tackles this season, including 31 solo stops. He recovered two fumbles, forced one fumble, intercepted a pass and recorded 21 quarterback hurries.

One of five finalists for the 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, as chosen by the Football Writers of America, Fairley also is a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award. He was named SEC Defensive Player or Defensive Lineman of the Week five times during the season and was chosen SEC Defensive Player of the Year by Associated Press.

Fairley is the second player from Auburn to win the Rotary Lombardi Award. He follows in the footsteps of his current position coach, Tracy Rocker, who claimed the honor in 1988. Fairley considers Rocker to have had a great influence on him, and credits his mentor with much of his success.

Voters for the Rotary Lombardi Award consist of all head coaches of NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision teams, all former winners and finalists, and selected members of the sports media.