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A shout out to former Husker Dave Rimington for another great evening recognizing the best center in college football for the 2008 season.  I had the privilege of emceeing the Rimington Trophy presentation dinner in Lincoln over the weekend.

The classy annual event benefits Cystic Fibrosis and features outstanding accomplishment in both college and professional football. 

A.Q. Shipley of Penn State was on hand to receive the Rimington Trophy, which appropriately weighs almost as much as a college football center.

Shipley and Rimington were large on stage together both in terms of physical size and success.  Both measure around 6-2 300 pounds and both set the standard for the center position in college during their playing days.  Like Rimington, Shipley should have a strong career in the NFL.

Bill Curry played ten years in the NFL and centered for football legends Bart Starr and Johnny Unitas.  Curry gave an inspirational acceptance speech as he was honored with the Gerald R. Ford award for his accomplishments both in the NFL and after his playing days ended. 

And former Dallas Cowboy Drew Pearson also captured the crowds attention with insight about football that rarely receives mention, namely the center position.

The big winner:  researchers who are trying to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.  Since the inception of the Rimington Trophy presentation dinner, the event has raised nearly two-million dollars for the Cystic Fibrosis and Boomer  Esiason Foundations.

Dave, Knicely Done!