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ABOUT THE LOMBARDI AWARD
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THE HISTORY
The history and significance of the Lombardi Award™ are deeply rooted in the legacy of Coach Vince Lombardi and his commitment to character, discipline, and excellence. Just weeks after Coach Vince Lombardi's passing in 1970 due to colon cancer, the Rotary Club of Houston established the Lombardi Award™ with the authorization of Vince Lombardi's widow, Marie, and his sister, Madeline Lombardi Werner.
This prestigious accolade continues to honor the Outstanding College Football Lineman, whether on offense or defense, who displays exceptional performance and ability and embodies the character and discipline that Vince Lombardi championed
throughout his life.
Mrs. Lombardi stipulates that the net proceeds generated from Gala sponsorship and table sales are dedicated to supporting cancer research efforts. This commitment is in honor of Coach Vince Lombardi, who tragically lost his life to the disease. Since the inception of the Lombardi Award™ in 1970, charitable fundraising services have been an integral part of the initiative. Notably, these efforts have raised millions of dollars to advance cancer research programs.
ABOUT VINCE LOMBARDI
Vince Lombardi was an American football coach and executive in the National Football League (NFL). He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight and five total NFL Championships in seven years and won the first two Super Bowls after the 1966 and 1967 NFL seasons.
Lombardi began his coaching career as an assistant and later as a head coach at St. Cecilia High School in Englewood, New Jersey. He was an assistant coach at Fordham, at the United States Military Academy, and with the New York Giants before becoming a head coach for the Green Bay Packers from 1959 to 1967 and the Washington Redskins in 1969.
He never had a losing season as a head coach in the NFL, compiling a regular season winning percentage of 73.8% (96–34–6) and 90% (9–1) in the postseason for an overall record of 105 wins, 35 losses, and six ties in the NFL.
Lombardi is considered by many to be the greatest coach in football history, and he is recognized as one of the greatest coaches and leaders in the history of all American sports.
The year after his sudden death from cancer in 1970, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and the NFL Super Bowl trophy was named in his honor.
Within weeks of his passing, Houstonian Rick Ashburn had the idea of creating an award that would honor this legendary coach and, at the same time, raise funds to continue the research against the disease that had taken his life. Ashburn took his idea to several groups in Houston and found a willing and eager ear with the members of the Rotary Club of Houston.
With little time to spare, the group gained the permission of Marie Lombardi, the coach’s widow, to proceed with their plan. Four months after Lombardi’s death, the first Rotary Lombardi Award™ Dinner was held at the AstroWorld Hotel. Vice President of the United States, Spiro Agnew, was the featured speaker; in addition, Howard Cosell spoke about the life of Vince Lombardi.
"THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO SUCCEED IN ANYTHING, AND THAT IS TO GIVE IT EVERYTHING"
-Vince Lombardi
BY THE NUMBERS
Previous Winners and Finalists
13
Members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
73
First-Round
NFL Draft Picks
43
Members of the College Football Hall of Fame
ABOUT THE TROPHY
Since 1970, this 40-pound block of Texas pink granite has led the fight against cancer and honored the legacy of Vince Lombardi. This simple yet powerful stone symbolizes excellence in college football and the spirit, drive, energy, and greatness of Lombardi. Designed by artist Mark Storm, the slightly leaning, polished granite represents desire, courage, discipline, and the complete football player, shaped by training, coaching, and dedication. The trophy has retained the same iconic design since 1971 and remains an enduring symbol of strength, character, and support for cancer research.
THE FRONT LINE KIDS
The Front Line Kids have been an integral part of the Lombardi Award™ for 52 years, attending the event as our special guests. This memorable occasion allows our four finalists, the nation’s top college linemen, along with other celebrity athletes, to visit Texas Children’s and MD Anderson Pediatric Cancer Centers.
Thanks to remarkable progress in cancer research, overall survival rates for childhood leukemia have risen to 90%, up from less than 20% fifty years ago. Unfortunately, survival rates for many other childhood cancers remain low.
