Forrest K. (Fergie) Ferguson Award

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The Forrest K. (Fergie) Ferguson Award is given in memory of one of the University of Florida's finest athletes. The Award is made annually in the form of a trophy, which remains in the permanent possession of the school, and is given to the football player selected by the football coaches to the Gator's Most Valuable Senior who displays leadership, character, and courage.

[edit] Its Name Sake

The award takes its name from Fergie Ferguson, one of the University of Florida's greatest all-around athletes[1]. He came to Florida in the fall of 1938 after having been a star end for the Stuart (Fl) High School. He was a three-year starter at offensive end and defensive end, going both ways, from 1939-41. His pass receiving records held until the 1960s when quarterbacks Steve Spurrier and John Reaves began to throw passes to Charles Casey, Richard Trapp, and All-American Carlos Alvarez.

Ferguson was an All-American in 1941 in football. The following year he was the State of Florida collegiate boxing champion and won the National AAU Javelin throw with a throw of 203 feet, 6-1/2 inches. [2]

He was severely wounded in the D-Day Invasion of Normandy, occupied France in 1944, the key thrust of the European Theater during World War II. Ferguson, a 2nd Lieutenant, never recovered and died a decade after the landing. [3] He was awarded the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Cross, the nation's second highest medal for gallantry in action, for his service on June 6, 1944.

[edit] Winners

Winners include Jimmy Dunn, 1958, Larry DuPree, 1964, Steve Spurrier, 1966, Guy Dennis and Larry Smith, 1968, Steve Tannen, 1969, Jack Youngblood, 1970, John Reaves, 1971, Jimmy DuBose, 1975, Wes Chandler, 1977, David Little, 1980, James Jones, 1982, Neal Anderson, 1985, Kerwin Bell, 1987, Louis Oliver, 1988, Kirk Kirkpatrick, 1990, Jesse Palmer, 2000, Jarvis Herring, 2005.