The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Kindle named Butkus Award finalist
11.20.2009 | Football
Nov. 20, 2009
Austin -- Senior DE/LB Sergio Kindle has been selected as a finalist for the 2009 Butkus Award, honoring the nation's top linebacker, the Butkus foundation has announced.
Kindle will attempt to become the second winner of the Butkus Award, following LB Derrick Johnson in 2004. Johnson was also a finalist for the award in 2003.
A member of the Mid-Season Watch List for the Hendricks Award and a Playboy Preseason All-American, Kindle has recorded 49 tackles, three sacks, 14 TFL, 26 pressures, two forced fumbles and two PBU in 2009.
During the last seven games, when the Longhorns have been giving up just 191 yards per contest, Kindle has been at his best, posting 38 tackles, two sacks, 13 TFL, 15 pressures and a forced fumble. He's averaging five tackles, two TFL and two pressures per game.
Kindle started the run with a sack-forced fumble on UTEP's opening drive that set the tone in UT's 64-7 victory. He went on to post at least two TFL in four of the next six games and at least two pressures in five of six. More recently against UCF, Kindle posted a career-high 11 tackles to go along with a sack, three TFL and three pressures.
While splitting time at LB and DE in 2008, Kindle posted 10 sacks, 14 TFL and 15 pressures en route to honorable mention All-America and first-team All-Big 12 honors. Kindle has played in 42 career games (21 starts) and posted 155 tackles, 13.5 sacks, 35 TFL, 46 pressures, five PBU, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
The winner of the 2009 Butkus Award is expected to be announced on or before December 8, 2009. 
 
The award is selected by a 51-person panel comprised mostly of scouts, coaches and journalists, and coordinated by Hub Arkush of Pro Football Weekly. Individual votes remain completely confidential. 
 
The Butkus Award is named after Dick Butkus, who is considered one of the greatest football players in history.
Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, following an illustrious career with the Chicago Bears, University of Illinois and Chicago Vocational School. Butkus and his son Matt want the Award to draw attention to the I Play Clean™ campaign, which aims to end steroid use in organized sports.
