DALLAS (FWAA) – For the past 25 years the Charlotte Touchdown Club has held a banquet each December when the Bronko Nagurski Trophy recipient has been announced. But it will be impossible to plan and host the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet this December in Charlotte because of COVID-19 and current health conditions in the state of North Carolina.

"The Charlotte Touchdown Club regrets to announce the cancellation of the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet originally scheduled for Dec. 7, 2020," said Executive Director John Rocco. "The club made the difficult decision out of concern for the wellbeing and safety of the finalists, club sponsors and all attending guests. We look forward to gathering together in person at next year’s banquet to recognize the best collegiate defensive football players in the nation."

The following alterations will be made to the awards schedule: The FWAA, in conjunction with the Charlotte Touchdown Club, will announce three finalists for the best defensive player in college football award on Wed., Dec. 9 by news releases from Dallas and Charlotte. The recipient of the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be announced on Tues., Dec. 22, also by news release.

A presentation of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy to the 2020 recipient will occur at a later time, either virtually or in-person on the recipient's campus, health conditions permitting.

"The FWAA greatly appreciates its partnership with the Charlotte Touchdown Club and certainly understands the current health concerns in this country concerning COVID-19," said FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson. "This will have no effect on the All-America committee's ability to select finalists and a winner of the 2020 Nagurski Trophy. We look forward to future banquets in Charlotte when conditions are more favorable."

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its award programs, contact Steve Richardson at tiger@fwaa.com.

About the Charlotte Touchdown Club
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. Since 1990, the club has raised more than $2 million to benefit area high school and collegiate athletics. For more information, contact John Rocco (704-347-2918 or jrocco@touchdownclub.com). The official website of the Charlotte Touchdown Club is touchdownclub.com.

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