The Butkus Awards have announced their semifinalists for the college and high school linebackers of the year. Local kid Anthony Sarao from Holy Spirit High in Absecon, NJ is one of 12 high school linebackers nominated for the award. Sarao has verbally committed to Stanford.
The finalists will be announced on November 23rd and the winners on December 8th. Previous winners include Patrick Willis of the 49ers and Rolando McClain of the Oakland Raiders
"When a player receives the Butkus Award he will know two things. First, he is recognized as the best of the best linebackers in America. Second, and in the long run most important, he will understand that this recognition brings a responsibility to serve others by giving back." said Dick Butkus
For more on the Butkus Award and the foundation check out www.thebutkusaward.com/
Butkus wants the Butkus Award to draw attention to the I Play Clean campaign, which aims
to end steroid use in organized sports.