Roger Staubach Receives First PeyBack Award

Heisman Trophy recipient and former two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Roger Staubach of the Dallas Cowboys received the first PeyBack Award from Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning's PeyBack Foundation.

The PeyBack Award will honor someone currently or formerly in professional football who exhibits character, integrity and honor, and who has given something back to the game and society.

Staubach was recognized during the Pathfinder Awards ceremonies at Conseco Fieldhouse June 23, 2002, as part of the Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament co-sponsored by Indiana Sports Corporation (ISC) and Indiana Black Expo.

"There are so many good things that players, coaches, administrators and others involved with the National Football League do that don't get the proper attention they deserve,'' said Manning. "Unfortunately, too many headlines involving the NFL center around negativity.

"That's why I wanted to establish this award, to honor someone who has been the right kind of person on and off the field, and I couldn't think of a better first honoree than Roger Staubach."

An unquestioned champion on the field, Staubach also has distinguished himself as a selfless humanitarian, involving himself in programs that have served the greater good of mankind, including United Way of America, The Salvation Army and the Children's Scholarship Fund. He previously has been recognized with the NCAA's 1999 Theodore Roosevelt Award, the 1979 Byron "Whizzer" White Humanitarian Award, the 1979 Brian Piccolo Award and the 1975 Vince Lombardi Sportsman of the Year award. Since 1981, Staubach has been chairman and chief executive officer of the Staubach Company, a real estate strategy and services firm. A 1965 graduate of the Naval Academy, Staubach served four years in the Navy, including a tour in Vietnam, before beginning his Hall of Fame career in the NFL.

"Having competed against his father, Archie, and knowing not only the football skills but the character of both him and Peyton, I am humbled and honored to be the first winner of the PeyBack Award and look forward to coming to Indianapolis in June," said Staubach.

Staubach, the most valuable player of Super Bowl VI, was honored at Super Bowl XXXVI in New Orleans, where he participated in the ceremonial coin toss prior to kickoff.

In Indianapolis, Staubach was honored alongside former University of North Carolina basketball coach Dean Smith and golf-course architects Pete and Alice Dye. Smith is the winner of the National Pathfinder Award while the Dyes will receive the Indiana Pathfinder Award. The Pathfinders are recognized for their service to youth.

"Roger was always one of my football heroes and the older I got, the more I learned about him as a person, and not the quarterback," said Peyton Manning. "He's not only a success in business, but carries himself with dignity and does many positive things in the community. He was the perfect fit as our first PeyBack winner."

Manning's PeyBack Foundation has successfully staged the PeyBack Classic in 2000 and 2001. The Classic is a high school football tripleheader involving the five Indianapolis Public High Schools. The Classic has generated more than $120,000 the past two years for IPS athletic programs. Foundation funds also are directed toward programs for disadvantaged youth.

© 2005 Peyton Manning