PREP BEAT: NAPA names 12 Blue Collar Players of the Year

NAPA Auto Parts would like to announce the NAPA/Larry Csonka “Blue Collar Player of The Year” Award recipients for 2010. High school varsity football players from all over Georgia were nominated for the award, but only 12 were named “Blue Collar Player of The Year.” This year’s recipients include Patrick Atwater, Tift County High School, Tifton, Ga.; Brian Chinn, Roswell High School, Roswell, GA; Brice Garrett, Fitzgerald High School, Fitzgerald, Ga.; Alan Hunn, East Paulding High School, Dallas, GA; Antwon Jackson, Appling County High School, Baxley, GA; Tevin King, Colquitt County High School, Moultrie, Ga.; Corey Lockett, Northside High School, Warner Robins, Ga.; Tanner Lords, Dublin High School, Dublin, Ga.; Chip Moore, Wheeler County High School, Alamo, Ga.

Cornal Pounds, Warner Robins High School, Warner Robins, Ga.; Brandon Robinson, Telfair County High School, McRae, Ga.; and Jacob Swinea, Glynn Academy, Brunswick, Ga.

The NAPA/Larry Csonka “Blue Collar Player of The Year” Award was created to honor players that deserve, but rarely receive recognition. The honor recognizes those hard working, blue collar players that, according to NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka, “show up for work every day and never complain, unsung heroes who spend little time in the spotlight but play pivotal roles in their team’s success.” NAPA knows the pivotal role that such unsung heroes play, and this award is our way of telling these players thanks for a job well done.

The award program was developed earlier this year by NAPA Auto Parts and Larry Csonka. Nomination forms were disseminated to NAPA Auto Parts store locations throughout Georgia. Several nominations were received, but only 12 student athletes were chosen. The players were chosen based on their athletic abilities, dedication to the game and devotion to their teams.

A banquet will be held in honor of the 2010 award recipients on Jan. 24, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. at Natalia’s Italian Restaurant located at 201 North Macon Street, Macon, GA 31210. Each player will be presented with a plaque commemorating their achievement, and will have the opportunity to meet Larry Csonka, NFL Hall of Famer.

For more information, contact Christine Larussa, Communication/Social Media Director at Otey White & Associates on behalf of NAPA Auto Parts at (225) 201-0032 or via e-mail at christine@oteywhite.com.