Watch NFL star Shaun Alexander make special award-winning Christmas Day phone call to Texas’ Colin Simmons
Simmons becomes first Longhorn to win Shaun Alexander Freshman Football Player of the Year
Not many national awards are given out on Christmas Day, but Shaun Alexander made the special call to Texas freshman Colin Simmons.
“You know what it means if I call you on Christmas Day,” Alexander told Simmons via FaceTime. “It means congratulations.”
The former NFL star called Colin, his mother and the entire Simmons family to share news that the Texas standout was named Shaun Alexander Freshman Football Player of the Year. Simmons becomes the first UT player to win the award in its seven-year history.
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“It is the closest margin of victory we’ve ever had between him and a couple guys,” Alexander told the family. “We had five really great finalists. Colin won by narrow margins, but he’s everything we want to represent the freshman player of the year.”
In a statement distributed by UT, Alexander also said, “Colin is a perfect representative for the Shaun Alexander FPOY award — great talent, great character, great ambassador to the University of Texas, and we believe he is a legend, a future superstar in the NFL.”
Simmons took the SEC by storm this season and leads the Longhorns in sacks (eight) while ranking in second in tackles for loss (12.5), quarterback hurries (nine) and forced fumbles (three).
The Duncanville product is a clear force and a key part of the Longhorns’ future. Simmons was also named to the All-SEC freshman team.
“We had talked before, because he talks to all of the finalists, and it means a lot that he takes his time and gets to know us outside of the uniform and that he cares so much and is so involved,” Simmons said in a statement.
“For him to relate to me and gain a relationship through 30 minutes of his time, it was incredible. I appreciate it so much, and something like this just motivates you that much more.”
The other four finalists were Alabama receiver Ryan Williams, Minnesota safety Koi Perich, Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith and South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart.
“Regardless of the fact that I’m receiving this award,” Simmons said, “I still have things to work on, things to improve on, and I still have to get better each and every day.”
