Unity
Reed
High
School
senior
Shawn
Murphy
is
the
recipient
for
the
prestigious
Butkus
Award®
as
the
best
high
school
linebacker
in
the
nation.
Murphy
received
news
he
was
the
recipient
of
the
award
in
a
surprise
Zoom
presentation
by
Dick
Butkus,
the
famous
linebacker
who
instituted
the
award,
accompanied
by
an
in-person
presentation
of
the
trophy
by
Butkus's
son
Matt.
Murphy
is
the
only
Prince
William
County
Public
Schools
(PWCS)
student
to
ever
receive
this
award.When asked what it felt like to wake up and find out he was the best of best in the nation, Murphy said, "It's a great feeling to know that all of my hard work is paying off, and that everything that I'm doing right now to reach my goals is working." Murphy continued, sharing that from his experience playing football for PWCS, he plans to take his effort, intensity, and relentlessness when he plays for the University of Alabama next year.
Murphy served as a four-year starter and as team captain for the Unity Reed football team, which had a successful season finishing 6-6 in the playoffs.
The committee that selected Murphy as the winner had this to share about him, "Shawn Murphy plays the game with the same intent that Dick Butkus once did. Shawn is a knockback hitter with outstanding speed, athletic ability, and range. He has been a force since he stepped on the field in high school, has represented Unity Reed with class and been a pillar of the program. This year's high school class was stronger and deeper than any in recent memory, with many very deserving candidates and a strong influx of future linebackers."
Winners for the Butkus Award® are selected by a committee that "focuses on the qualities that defined Butkus' career: toughness, on-field leadership, competitiveness, football character and linebacking skills."
Murphy has abundantly demonstrated the skills required of a Butkus Award-winner according to Unity Reed head football coach Carroll Walker, who shared, "Shawn Murphy has demonstrated leadership as well as respect for faculty staff members, teammates and coaches."
For more information on the Butkus Award® or selection criteria, please visit their webpage.