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January 6, 1998
Burbank, Ca - The Fourth Annual Spirit Awards (Paul “Tank” Younger Trophy) dinner, trophy presentation ceremony and syndicated televised program recognizing the achievements of collegiate football players from a traditionally black college will be held Friday, January 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Regal Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. This year’s event will be hosted by ESPN’s own quick witted, and dynamic sports anchor Stuart Scott.The evening will be highlighted by a special award presentation to two of the most outstanding professional athletes.
San Francisco 49er Wide Receiver Jerry Rice, will be given this year’s Special Achievement Award.
Seattle Mariners Center-Fielder Ken Griffey Jr will receive the Spirit Award.
The keynote speaker for the evening, is Sportscaster host and comedian Roy Firestone.
Also known as the Heisman trophy for black college football, The Spirit Awards recognizes and acknowledges six of the most outstanding college football athletes from Historically Black Colleges. This year’s finalists in each of the six categories are as follows:
The overall winner will be announced at the awards dinner.
Actress Jada Pinkett, actor Andy Garcia, singer/ actress Brandy, legendary television producer Don Cornelius, Hall of Famer/actor Jim Brown, New York Liberty Forward Kym Hampton, and MSNBC anchor Ed Gordon, are just some of the celebrities and guests who will come together to honor some of the finest football athletes from the Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
.The first presentation of the Spirit Award took place on December 8, 1994 in Atlanta, Georgia. That year witnessed Steve McNair, the Houston Oilers top draft pick, win the Spirit Award. Bo Jackson, Evander Holyfield, and George Steinbrenner were among the many celebrities who attended the ceremony.
The Second Annual Spirit Awards ceremony was held on January 11, 1996 in Los Angeles at the Palace Theater, and was hosted by CNN Sports anchor Fred Hickman. Many from the entertainment and business community witnessed Ahmad Rashad receive the Spirit Career Achievement Award while James Roe (Norfolk State University) received the Robinson award for 1995.
The Third Annual Spirit Awards ceremony was held on January 10, 1997 in Los Angeles at the Regal Biltmore Hotel. The event was co-hosted by television personality Rolonda Watts, and KCBS-TV Sports anchor Jim Hill. Rodney Pete, Tichina Arnold, and Pat O’Brien were joined by many in the entertainment and business community to honor Hall of Famer, Jim Brown with The Spirit Career Achievement Award, while John Green (Norfolk State University) received The Paul “Tank” Younger Trophy for 1996.
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