Johnson honored as Lombardi finalist

HOUSTON - Texas senior LB Derrick Johnson was honored Wednesday night in Houston as a finalist for the Lombardi Award, given annually to the college lineman of the year. He was joined by Shaun Cody of USC, Erasmus James of Wisconsin and David Pollack of Georgia. Pollack won the award given by the Rotary Club of Houston.

Head Coach Mack Brown introduced Johnson on a night that was touched by the presense of the Front Line Kids, children battling cancer whom the players met earlier in the day on their visits to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Children's Cancer Center. The proceeds from the Rotary Lomardi Award program -- over $3 million since 1970 -- benefit the programs of the American Cancer Society.

"I want to thank the Rotary Club of Houston for putting on this wonderful event," Johnson said. "Everyone has been so nice and we did a lot of fun things. I had a great time and will always be proud to say I took part in the event, especially having the honor of meeting all of the children who are so courageous in battling cancer. I also want to thank all of the voters for selecting me as a finalist, and everyone who is supporting everything the Lombardi Award stands for. Being a Lombardi finalist is a great honor and I also want to congratulate David (Pollack) who is a very deserving winner. It‚s a privilege to join such an elite group, and especially all of the former Longhorns that are a part of that."

The featured speaker was Chris Speilman, former Lombardi winner, and linebacker for Ohio State and the NFL's Detroit Lions, Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns. Speilman conveyed his own story of his wife's battle with cancer.