The Walter Camp Distinguished American
The Walter Camp “Distinguished American” award is presented each year to an individual who has utilized his or her talents to attain great success in business, private life or public service and who may have accomplished that which no other has done. He or she may have a record of dedication to mankind that should not pass unrecognized and a life that has been dedicated to the preservation of the American ideal. The recipient need not have participated in football but must be one who understands its lesson of self-denial, cooperation and teamwork, and one who is a person of honesty, integrity and dedication. He or she must be a leader, an innovator, even a pioneer, who has reached a degree of excellence that distinguishes him or her from contemporaries, as well as someone who lives within the principles of Walter Camp.
Steve Spurrier – 2023 Distinguished American
A native of Miami Beach, Fla., Steve Spurrier became known for his play at quarterback for the University of Florida and earned Walter Camp All-America honors in 1966 after passing for 2,012 yards and 16 touchdowns for the 9-2 Gators. He also earned the Heisman Trophy for his efforts. Spurrier went on to play 10 seasons – as a quarterback and punter – in the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
He then went into coaching and served as an assistant at his alma mater Florida (1978), Georgia Tech (1979) and Duke (1980-82) before accepting the head coach position in the fledgling United States Football League for the Tampa Bay Bandits in 1983. He led the Bandits to two playoff appearances in three years before the league folded.
Spurrier returned to the collegiate ranks in 1987, serving as the head coach at Duke. He led the Blue Devils to two winning seasons in three years, including a bowl berth in 1989.
In 1990, he was named head coach at Florida and is credited for an innovative, wide-open passing game (known as “Fun-n-Gun”). Under his leadership, the Gators proceeded to win 122 games in 12 seasons, earned 12 bowl berths, and won six Southeastern Conference titles. Spurrier led Florida to the 1996 National Championship, a 52-20 victory over Florida State in the Sugar Bowl.
In 2002, he accepted the head coaching position with the then-called Washington Redskins. In 2005, he returned to the collegiate game, assuming the head job at University of South Carolina. He spent 11 seasons with the Gamecocks, leading them to 86 victories and nine bowl berths, including three straight 11-win seasons from 2011 to 2013.
He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017, making him just one of four members to be inducted as a both a player and coach. In 2016, the University of Florida renamed its home field, “Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.”
Spurrier and his wife Jerri have four children and 14 grandchildren.
Previous winners of the Walter Camp Distinguished American Award
Tom Coughlin (2022)
Jerry Jones – Dallas Cowboys (2021)
Chris Berman – Brown University (2019)
Archie Manning – Ole Miss (2018)
Lee Corso – Florida State University (2017)
Mike Ditka – University of Pittsburgh (2016)
Tim Shriver – Yale University (2015)
Verne Lundquist – Texas Lutheran (2014)
Joe Theismann – University of Notre Dame (2013)
Tom Osborne – Hastings College (2012)
Floyd Little – Syracuse University (2011)
Chuck Bednarik – University of Pennsylvania (2010)
Robin Roberts – Southeastern Louisiana University (2009)
Len Dawson – Purdue University (2008)
Frank Broyles – Georgia Institute of Technology (2007)
Dick Vermeil – San Jose State University (2006)
Arthur Blank – Babson College (2005)
Pat Summerall – University of Arkansas (2004)
Bill Walsh – San Jose State University (2003)
Regis Philbin – University of Notre Dame (2002)
New York City Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Service Personnel and Port Authority Policy (2001)
Gene Upshaw, Texas A&I University (2000)
Glenn “Bo” Schembechler – Miami (Ohio) University (1999)
Steve Young – Brigham Young University (1998)
Steve Largent – University of Tulsa (1997)
Dick Ebersol – Yale University (1996)
Keith Jackson – Washington State University (1995)
Paul Tagliabue – Georgetown University (1994)
The Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh – C.S.C (1993)
Carm Cozza – Miami University, Yale University (1992)
Susan Saint James – (1991)
Alexander Kroll – Rutgers University (1991)
Texas E. (Tex) Schramm – University of Texas (1990)
Richard W. Kazmaier – Princeton University (1989)
Burt Reynolds – Florida State University (1989)
Y.A. Tittle – Louisiana State University (1988)
Sid Luckman – Columbia University (1988)
Weeb Ewbank – Miami University (1987)
Tom Landry – University of Texas (1986)
Bob Hope – (1985)
Major General William “Bill” Carpenter – U.S.M.A. (1984)
Tom Harmon – University of Michigan (1983)
Edward “Eddie” Robinson – Grambling State University (1982)
Harold “Red” Grange – University of Illinois (1981)
Hon. Alexander M. Haig, Jr. – U.S.M.A. (1980)
George S. Halas – University of Illinois (1980)
David A. “Sonny” Werblin – Rutgers University (1979)
James Crowley – University of Notre Dame (1978)
