Selection Committee
Drew Bledsoe
Awards Chairman
Former NFL QB, 4-Time Pro Bowl Selection
“The nominees for the Inspireum Football Awards strive to prove to themselves and their teammates that there is no injury too severe, no setback too big and no circumstance too difficult to overcome. Good luck to all of the 2011 nominees!”
Drew Bledsoe, a four time pro bowl selection, had a 14-year career as a quarterback in the National Football League, and is best known as the starting quarterback for the New England Patriots from 1993-2001. He also played for the Buffalo Bills from 2002-2004, and spent the final two years of his career with the Dallas Cowboys in 2005 and 2006. Bledsoe, an All-American for the Washington State Cougars and former #1 overall draft pick in the 1993 NFL Draft, retired in 2007 fifth in NFL history in pass attempts (6,717) and completions (3,839), 7th in passing yards (44,611), and 13th in touchdown passes (251). In May 2011, Bledsoe became the first player inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Since his retirement in 2007, Bledsoe founded Doubleback Wines located in and around Walla Walla, Washington.
Troy aikman
Former NFL Quarterback, 3-Time Super Bowl Winner
Troy Aikman’s 12-year playing career was spent guiding the Dallas Cowboys after he was the first overall selection in the 1989 draft. In those 12 years, he set 45 Cowboys’ passing records, including the club’s career record for completions (2,898), passing yards (32,942), touchdowns (165) and completion percentage (61.3). While leading one of sports’ most famous franchises, the Cowboys won six NFC East titles (1992-96 & 1998) and advanced to four NFC Championship Games (1992-1995). Aikman is one of only four quarterbacks to guide his team to victory in three Super Bowls (XXVII, XXVIII and XXX). In February, 2006, Aikman joined yet another illustrious group when he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. He becomes just the sixth player in Cowboys history to enter those hallowed halls. After leaving the playing field, Aikman joined the NFL on FOX full-time as a game analyst and has received three nominations for an Emmy for his broadcasting efforts. Through broadcasting, real estate, community involvement and The Troy Aikman Foundation, Aikman has quickly discovered numerous ways to keep himself occupied in “retirement”.
Shaun alexander
2005 NFL MVP
Shaun Alexander has had an illustrious football career. He was named Kentucky's "Mr. Football" his senior year in high school. He then played his college football at Alabama where he played a key role in leading the Crimson Tide to the SEC Championship in 1999. In November 2005, Alexander became the first player in NFL history to score 19 rushing or receiving TDs in only 10 games, and eventually broke the single-season mark for touchdowns with 28. In 2005 Alexander also broke the Seattle Seahawks franchise record for the most rushing yards in team history with 1,880, earned the NFL MVP of the Year trophy and was named the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year. Duringthe 2006 season he led the Seahawks to the Super Bowl. He established and is extremely active in the Shaun Alexander Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to empower young men through education, athletics, character programs, and leadership training with a goal to inspire them to reach their full potential as the mentors and role models for the next generation.
andy beal
President, CBS MaxPreps, Inc.
Andy Beal is the Chief Executive Officer of MaxPreps.com, a web site owned by CBS Interactive that is dedicated to publishing America's most comprehensive high school sports information. MaxPreps.com features stats, stories, and photos featuring high school student-athletes and the outstanding men and women who coach them. Since the company was launched in the fall of 2003, Andy and his team grew MaxPreps to be the grand-daddy of high school sports websites and were eventually acquired by CBS in 2004. Said Beal of joining the CBS family, "Our mission is to celebrate high school sports by documenting the accomplishments of all high school athletes, not just the stars." In addition to his duties with MaxPreps, Andy also serves as a Senior Vice President for CBS Sports. For the past 15 years he also finds time to coach teams at the youth and high school levels. Andy is married and the father of three sons.
jenn brown
ABC/ESPN Sideline Reporter
Jenn Brown is a reporter for ESPN’s “College GameDay,” a sideline reporter for ESPN’s Thursday prime-time college football games and a Los Angeles-based bureau reporter. In those roles, Brown serves as a sideline reporter for ESPN and ABC college football games, is a live event reporter for ESPN’s “X Games” and contributes reports and interviews for ESPN’s news-gathering operation for “SportsCenter” and ESPN News. Before joining ESPN full time in February 2010, Brown worked for Showtime Sports/CBS Sports as a correspondent for the Emmy Award-winning “Inside the NFL,” as well as boxing and mixed martial arts programming from 2008 to 2010. In 2009, Brown co-hosted ESPNU’s “Road Trip,” which covered major college football and basketball rivalry games. A former student-athlete, Brown attended the University of Florida on a full academic scholarship and played four years on the Division I Florida Gators softball team. Brown received several academic honors while at the University of Florida and graduated summa cum laude. She was a two-time National Fastpitch Coaches Association Academic All-America team selection and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll four times. Her academic accomplishments also include the president’s list, the dean’s list and membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
tedy bruschi
Former NFL Linebacker, 3-Time Super Bowl Winner
Tedy Bruschi is a 13-year veteran of the NFL and played his entire career with the New England Patriots. He was Captain of the New England defense for seven seasons, and helped lead the Patriots to nine playoffs, eight division championships, five conference titles and three Super Bowl crowns. He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1996 NFL Draft after playing college football at Arizona. Tedy joined ESPN as an NFL analyst in August 2009, one week after announcing his retirement from pro football. The former New England Patriots linebacker appears on NFL Live, SportsCenter, ESPN Radio and other platforms. In addition to his relentless worth ethic and intensity, Bruschi is equally well known for his determination and professionalism off the field. After suffering a stroke in February 2005, he endured months of rehabilitation before being medically cleared to play football and returning to the lineup in. Bruschi was named the 2005 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and the recipient of both the Ed Block Courage Award and the Maxwell Football Club's Spirit Award. Bruschi wrote the memoir "Never Give Up: My Stroke, My Recovery, and My Return to the NFL" in 2007 about his personal experience. One of the Patriots’ most active players in the greater Boston community, Bruschi remains a spokesman for the American Heart Association and he founded Tedy’s Team, a foundation that raises funds for stroke research.
andrea kremer
Reporter, NBC Sports, Correspondent HBO's Real Sports
Andrea Kremer is someone the Los Angeles Times has called "the best TV interviewer in the business of covering the NFL." Kremer is currently a correspondent for HBO's Emmy Award-winning "Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel." Prior to her role with HBO, Kremer was a sideline reporter for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. Andrea came to NBC after working at ESPN for 17 years as ESPN's national correspondent, providing in-depth reports for "SportsCenter," "Sunday NFL Countdown" and "Monday Night Countdown," as well as other studio shows, winning Emmy Awards for her work in 2001 and 2005. She was cited as "Best Female" sportscaster in P.O.V. Magazine in a September 1997 poll and in 2001 was named one of the "Most Influential" moms in the country by Working Mother Magazine. Prior to joining ESPN, Kremer worked at NFL Films from 1984-89, where she was a producer/director and on-air reporter for the nationally syndicated show "This is the NFL."
jim mora, sr.
Former NFL Head Coach
Jim Mora, Sr. began his professional coaching career in 1978 as the defensive line coach for the NFL's Seattle Seahawks. In 1983 the United States Football League came into existence and Mora became head coach of the Philadelphia Stars. During his tenure, the team compiled a 48-13-1 (.782) record while winning two USFL championships and Mora was named Coach of the Year in 1984. In 1985 Mora took over as head coach of the NFL's New Orleans Saints where he coached for 11 seasons compiling a 93-78 record. In 1998, he became head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and took over the team led by rookie Peyton Manning. Although they struggled that first year, Mora led the Colts to a 13-3 record in 1999 and the AFC Divisional Playoffs. In 2001 Mora left the Colts after having reached the play-offs two out of the four years he was there. Mora is currently ranked #23 in all-time wins in the NFL with a 125-112 over-all record. Today, Mora is currently a sports analyst on the NFL Network, primarily on the Head Coaches Show. His son Jim L. Mora is the current head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
jimmy pitaro
Co-President, Disney Interactive Media Group
Jimmy Pitaro is currently the Co-President of Disney Interactive Media Group overseeing online content, social networking, interactive gaming, and the web and mobile group. He recently was the Vice President of Yahoo! Media responsible for guiding the strategic growth and continued development of Yahoo!’s media properties which reach more than 70 million unique visitors per month. In that role, Pitaro oversaw the programming, content and regional business strategies for Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Entertainment (Movies, TV, Music, omg!), Yahoo! Games, Shine and more. In 2006, Pitaro became vice president and general manager of Yahoo! Sports where he was credited with leading Yahoo! Sports to its current position as the number one online sports destination. He led Yahoo! Inc.’s acquisition of the college destination Rivals.com and managed partnerships with the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR, UFC, and Turner Broadcasting to deliver compelling video, including live games and highlights. A New York native, Pitaro graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics, and received his J.D. from St. John’s Law School. Pitaro is a member of the advisory board of PACER, an organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities. He resides in Southern California with his wife and two children, and is a passionate Yankee fan.
Glenn rosenbloom
Vice President, ESPN High School
Bringing a wealth of publishing experience to an emerging multi-platform business, Glenn Rosenbloom joined ESPN in 2009 when he was named vice president, ESPN High School (formerly ESPN RISE). Rosenbloom is charged with overseeing all aspects of the ESPN High School brand which includes digital, mobile, social, events and publishing aimed at the high school student-athlete and fan. Under Rosenbloom’s direction, his staff oversees the following assets: ESPN High School Guy and Girl Magazine, ESPNHighSchool.com, mobile and social media products and more than 160 high school events. Prior to joining ESPN, Rosenbloom was Co-Chief Executive Officer of Alpha Media Group. He joined AMG as president in 2008. Before his stint at Alpha Media Group, he directed the US Consumer Magazine division for Buena Vista Magazines, a subsidiary of Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW).
leigh anne tuohy
Inspirational figure of the movie, "The Blind Side"
Leigh Anne Tuohy is an American interior decorator and graduate of the University of Mississippi. She is best known for being featured in Michael Lewis’ 2006 book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game that was later made into the 2009 blockbuster film The Blind Side. In the film, Leigh Anne was portrayed by actress Sandra Bullock, who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for the performance. She is the adoptive mother of former Ole Miss player and Baltimore Ravens first round draft pick Michael Oher, whose story was portrayed in The Blind Side. In addition to Michael, Leigh Anne and her husband Sean are the parents of daughter Collins and son Sean, Jr. In 2010, Tuohy was named one of three new design team members for ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
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