Red Worrell Award
Encyclopedia
The Red Worrell Award is presented to an offensive
Penn State Nittany Lions football
player for "exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude, and improvement" during spring practice each year. First awarded in 1958, the award honors former Nittany Lion fullback
Robert T. Worrell, who died from accident
al electrocution
in 1957.
The award was given to both offensive
and defensive players until 1976 when a separate award, the Jim O'Hora Award
, was created for defensive players.
Thirty-nine miles south of Pittsburgh, along the Monongahela River, lies the tiny town of Denbo, downstream from Brownsville.
In the late 1950s, everyone in the Monongahela Valley knew a young man named Robert Worrell. A great all-around athlete, he was called Red.
According to the Brownsville Telegraph, as later reported in the Brownsville Times Capsule, "during his senior year at Centerville High School, Worrell received the highest award in the nation when he was named to the All-American schoolboy team.
"He was the only gridder in history to win consecutive awards as the outstanding back in the WPIAL. He received over 75 college offers, and after initially selecting North Carolina, he changed his mind and enrolled at Penn State, where he starred...on the freshman team."
While at home for the holidays on a December afternoon in 1957, the 19-year-old "Worrell was helping his father erect a television antenna...Red was standing on the ground, holding a metal pipe attached to the antenna when it came in contact with a high tension wire."
Worrell collapsed to the ground, and despite the efforts of the Brownsville fire department, he died, leaving behind a wife, Carol, and their eight-month-old daughter, Kim Jeannette.
Fifty-three years later, Worrell's time at Penn State will be remembered once again next week. As it is every year, his name will be associated a Nittany Lion football player's good deeds.
Offense (sports)
In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...
Penn State Nittany Lions football
Penn State Nittany Lions football
The Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision as a member of the Big Ten Conference. It is one of the most tradition-rich and storied college football programs in the...
player for "exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude, and improvement" during spring practice each year. First awarded in 1958, the award honors former Nittany Lion fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
Robert T. Worrell, who died from accident
Accident
An accident or mishap is an unforeseen and unplanned event or circumstance, often with lack of intention or necessity. It implies a generally negative outcome which may have been avoided or prevented had circumstances leading up to the accident been recognized, and acted upon, prior to its...
al electrocution
Electric shock
Electric Shock of a body with any source of electricity that causes a sufficient current through the skin, muscles or hair. Typically, the expression is used to denote an unwanted exposure to electricity, hence the effects are considered undesirable....
in 1957.
The award was given to both offensive
Offense (sports)
In sports, offense or offence , also known as attack, is the action of attacking or engaging an opposing team with the objective of scoring points or goals...
and defensive players until 1976 when a separate award, the Jim O'Hora Award
Jim O'Hora Award
The Jim O'Hora Award is presented to a defensive Penn State Nittany Lions football player for "exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude, and improvement" during spring practice each year...
, was created for defensive players.
Recipients
| Year | Player | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Andy Stynchula Andy Stynchula Andrew Ralph Stynchula was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Baltimore Colts, and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Penn State University and was drafted in the third round of the 1960 NFL Draft... |
Defensive tackle |
| 1959 | Frank Korbini | Guard |
| 1960 | Bill Popp | Guard |
| 1961 | Joe Galardi | Guard |
| 1962 | Ralph Baker Ralph Baker Ralph Robert Baker is a former professional American football player.Baker was drafted in both the 1964 AFL and NFL drafts—the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with their 3rd-round pick, while the New York Jets used their 6th-round pick to select him... |
Linebacker |
| 1963 | Tom Urbanik | Fullback |
| 1964 | Chuck Ehinger | Guard |
| 1965 | Ed Lenda | Tackle |
| 1966 | Jim McCormick | Linebacker |
| 1967 | Tom McGrath | Defensive tackle |
| 1968 | Steve Smear Steve Smear Steve Smear is a former defensive end and linebacker for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He was a CFL All-Star in 1970 and was a part of two Grey Cup victories for the Alouettes.... |
Defensive tackle |
| 1969 | Greg Edmonds | Wide receiver |
| 1970 | Fran Ganter | Fullback |
| 1971 | Mike Botts Lydell Mitchell Lydell Mitchell Lydell Douglas Mitchell , is a former professional American football player. He played running back in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts, San Diego Chargers and Los Angeles Rams spanning 1972-1980.... |
Center Running back |
| 1972 | Larry Ludwig | Linebacker |
| 1973 | Greg Murphy | Defensive end |
| 1974 | Jeff Bleamer | Tackle |
| 1975 | Dave Stutts | Tight end |
| 1976 | Mickey Shuler Mickey Shuler Mickey Charles Shuler Sr. , is a former professional American football tight end from 1978 to 1991. He played in 181 games over 14 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles... |
Tight end |
| 1977 | Bob Bassett | Wide receiver |
| 1978 | Kip Vernaglia | Wide receiver |
| 1979 | Bill Dugan Bill Dugan William H. Dugan is a American former professional American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, and the New York Giants.... |
Offensive lineman |
| 1980 | John Wojtowicz | Guard |
| 1981 | Vyto Kab Vyto Kab Vyto J. Kab is a former American football tight end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Detroit Lions. He played college football at Penn State University and was drafted in the third round of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Eagles... |
Tight end |
| 1982 | George Herina | Tackle |
| 1983 | Stan Short | Guard |
| 1984 | Steve Smith Steve Smith (running back) Steven Anthony Smith is a former professional American football running back, playing 9 seasons in the National Football League with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. He was a team captain on Penn State's 1986 National Championship team.Smith was a third-round draft choice of the Raiders... |
Fullback |
| 1985 | Rob Smith | Center |
| 1986 | Mike Wolf | Center |
| 1987 | Tim Freeman John Greene |
Tackle Safety |
| 1988 | Ed Monaghan Odell Wilson |
Guard Defensive back |
| 1989 | Rob Luedeke | Center |
| 1990 | Sam Gash Sam Gash Samuel Lee Gash Jr. is a former American football fullback and current running backs coach for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League.-Professional career:... |
Fullback |
| 1991 | Todd Rucci Todd Rucci Todd Rucci is a former professional American football player who played guard for seven seasons in the National Football League from 1993 to 1999. He was a starter in Super Bowl XXXI for the New England Patriots... |
Guard |
| 1992 | E.J. Sandusky | Center |
| 1993 | Kyle Brady Kyle Brady Kyle James Brady is a former professional American football player. He played tight end for 13 seasons in the National Football League for the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and New England Patriots. He was the Jets' first round draft choice in the 1995 NFL Draft... |
Tight end |
| 1994 | Keith Olsommer | Tight end |
| 1995 | Jason Henderson | Tackle |
| 1996 | Jason Sload | Fullback |
| 1997 | Ryan Fagan Floyd Wedderburn Floyd Wedderburn Floyd E. Wedderburn is a former professional American football player who played guard for three seasons for the Seattle Seahawks. Floyd attended Upper Darby High School, where he lettered in football, basketball, and track and field . Floyd went on to play football for Joe Paterno at Penn State... |
Tackle Tackle |
| 1998 | John Blick | Tackle |
| 1999 | Garrett Watkins | Tight end |
| 2000 | Tyler Lenda | Guard |
| 2001 | Bryant Johnson Bryant Johnson Bryant Andrew Johnson is an American football wide receiver for the Houston Texans of the National Football League He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals 17th overall in the 2003 NFL Draft... |
Wide receiver |
| 2002 | Matt Schmitt | Tackle |
| 2003 | Dave Costlow | Center |
| 2004 | John Bronson John Bronson Johnathon Lee Bronson is a professional American football tight end. Currently a free agent from the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League.-High school:... |
Tight end |
| 2005 | BranDon Snow | Fullback |
| 2006 | Rodney Kinlaw Rodney Kinlaw Rodney Eddrick Kinlaw is a professional American Football running back. He currently plays for the Mönchengladbach Mavericks of the German Football League. He has also played for the Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League... |
Running back |
| 2007 | Terrell Golden | Wide receiver |
| 2008 | James McDonald | Wide receiver |
| 2009 | Graham Zug | Wide receiver |
| 2010 | Brett Brackett | Wide receiver |
Thirty-nine miles south of Pittsburgh, along the Monongahela River, lies the tiny town of Denbo, downstream from Brownsville.
In the late 1950s, everyone in the Monongahela Valley knew a young man named Robert Worrell. A great all-around athlete, he was called Red.
According to the Brownsville Telegraph, as later reported in the Brownsville Times Capsule, "during his senior year at Centerville High School, Worrell received the highest award in the nation when he was named to the All-American schoolboy team.
"He was the only gridder in history to win consecutive awards as the outstanding back in the WPIAL. He received over 75 college offers, and after initially selecting North Carolina, he changed his mind and enrolled at Penn State, where he starred...on the freshman team."
While at home for the holidays on a December afternoon in 1957, the 19-year-old "Worrell was helping his father erect a television antenna...Red was standing on the ground, holding a metal pipe attached to the antenna when it came in contact with a high tension wire."
Worrell collapsed to the ground, and despite the efforts of the Brownsville fire department, he died, leaving behind a wife, Carol, and their eight-month-old daughter, Kim Jeannette.
Fifty-three years later, Worrell's time at Penn State will be remembered once again next week. As it is every year, his name will be associated a Nittany Lion football player's good deeds.