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BALTIMORE, MD. (June 14, 2008) - Rutgers senior quarterback Mike Teel
(Oakland, N.J.) has made the first cut to be considered for the 2008
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented by Transamerica Insurance and
Investment Group, a leading provider of innovative business and personal
financial services. Teel is one of 26 senior quarterbacks from around
the nation up for the award.
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Teel started every game for the second-straight season in 2007 despite
playing most of the year with injuries on his thumb and hand. He ended
the season with 20 touchdown passes, the most in Rutgers single-season
history and finished second in RU single-season history in passing
yardage (3,147). Teel's 203 completions ranked fourth in RU
single-season history as he totaled six, 300-yard passing games.
Teel directed an offense that was the first in NCAA history to have a
3,000-yard passer, 2,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers in the
same season.
The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is presented annually to the nation's
top senior collegiate quarterback, by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm
Educational Foundation, Inc. This prestigious award bears the name of
who many refer to as the finest quarterback to ever play the game of
football. Established in 1987, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award has
previously honored 20 outstanding young men.
The award takes into consideration his impressive collegiate career to
this point, as well as his off-the-field values of good character,
citizenship, scholastic achievement, and strong leadership qualities.
The 2008 winner will be presented with the award on December 5th at the
Tremont Grand Meeting & Banquet Facility, in downtown Baltimore,
Maryland.
The Transamerica Insurance and Investment Group, a leading provider of
innovative business and personal financial services, is our major
corporate and presenting sponsor for the award and organization.
The namesake of the award has a storied history which has earned him the
recognition of being the Greatest Quarterback to ever play in the NFL.
An 18-year veteran of the NFL, Unitas played his collegiate career at
the University of Louisville (1951-1954), passing for 3007 yards and 27
TDs. Unitas, who wore #19 as a professional, had his # 16 collegiate
uniform retired at Louisville, the lone number retired by the Cardinals.
Johnny Unitas began his 18-year pro career with the Baltimore Colts in
1958 and played there until joining the San Diego Chargers for his final
season. His career passing figures are mind boggling. He completed
2,830-of-5,186 passes for 40,239 yards and 290 TDs during his NFL
career. Among his many records is one that may stand forever, throwing a
touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.
Unitas was recently selected as the top quarterback of all-time by the
Pro Football Hall of Fame 36 member selection committee.
As part of a partnership with CN8, The Comcast Network, the announcement
of the winner and the award presentation will be carried live
exclusively on "Out of Bounds" at 7 p.m. Throughout the fall, "Out of
Bounds" has provided a regular look at the award contenders, including
game highlights and statistical updates on the "Golden Arm Award Watch
List" presented by Transamerica.
The special "Out of Bounds" coverage culminates with the live award
winner announcement as well as interviews and reports from the Johnny
Unitas Golden Arm Awards.
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