Derrick Johnson named Butkus Award winner

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ORLANDO, Fla. - After becoming the first finalist of the Butkus Award in UT history in 2003, Derrick Johnson took it one more step Friday night, as he was named the 2004 Butkus Award winner as the nation's best linebacker by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando.

"This is such a great honor," Johnson said. "It's a privilege to join such an elite group and to be part of an award that honors the greatest linebacker ever. Mr. Butkus set the standard for all of us with his intensity, determination and unbelievable plays. I can't put into words what a privilege it is to win this award."

Johnson handed the trophy by Dick Butkus who was on hand in Orlando to honor all of the finalists including Ahmad Brooks of Virginia and Matt Grootegoed of USC. ESPN's Trev Alberts served as Master of Ceremonies.

In the past week, Johnson has also been honored with the Nagurski Trophy, as a finalist for the Lombardi Award and as a member of the 2004 Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America team. From Orlando, he will travel to Newport Beach, Calif., as a finalist for the Ronnie Lott Trophy before returning to Austin.