Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o won the LOTT Trophy Friday, Dec. 7. The LOTT Trophy is given to the top defensive player in college football, taking into consideration both the player’s on-field performance and his character and work off the field.
Te’o received the award not only for leading the top-ranked college defense in the country, but also his volunteer work, which includes work with the Shriner’s Hospital, the Head Start preschool program, the Hawai’i Food Bank, and the Special Olympics.
This win comes one day after Te’o finished second in voting for the Heisman trophy, which is given to the best overall college football player in the country. Despite the loss, second place is the highest a defensive player has placed since the only defensive winner in 1997. (end)