D.J. Williams of Arkansas Named 2010 John Mackey Award Recipient

Bethpage, N.Y. (December 9, 2010) - The Nassau County Sports Commission, sponsored by Briarcliffe College, has announced D.J. Williams of Arkansas as the 2010 John Mackey Award recipient. The Southeastern conference senior recorded 49 receptions for 589 yards and four touchdowns while leading eighth ranked Arkansas to the 2010 Sugar Bowl. Williams becomes the first Arkansas Razorback to capture the Mackey Award and participated in the first-ever live Mackey Award presentation on ESPNU at the Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show this evening. 

2010 was a banner year for D.J. who also received the Disney Spirit Award given to college football's most inspirational player. He led the Razorbacks in receptions and was named first team All SEC (AP and Coaches). Williams, who is well known for his blocking ability and receiving prowess, has totaled 147 receptions, 1,817 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his four year career with Arkansas. Those career stats make him the active NCAA leader in catches and yards by a Tight End.

The John Mackey Award presented since 2000, lists nine NFL players as alumni: Dallas Clark ('01) of the 2006 Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, two-time Super Bowl Champion Daniel Graham ('02) of the Denver Broncos, Kellen Winslow II ('03) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, two-time Super Bowl Champion Heath Miller ('04) of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Marcedes Lewis ('05) of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Matt Spaeth ('06) of the of the 2008 Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Fred Davis ('07) of the Washington Redskins, Chase Coffman ('08) of the Cincinnati Bengals and Aaron Hernandez ('09) of the New England Patriots. 

The John Mackey Award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame Tight End John Mackey. The 2010 John Mackey Award recipient was determined by confidential balloting of the John Mackey Selection Committee. Please visitwww.johnmackeyaward.org for all Mackey Award related information including the John Mackey Selection Committee, the selection process and award criteria, information on all past award recipients and a high resolution image of the award trophy available for download.

The Nassau County Sports Commission, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization sponsored by Briarcliffe College is responsible for the administration of the John Mackey Award and the John Mackey Award Selection Committee. For additional information, please visit www.nassausports.org.