His unexpected appearance, orchestrated by the Butkus Committee and Boston College to coincide with yesterday’s festivities, caught Kuechly by surprise, even though the junior was the overwhelming favorite to win the award after finishing second to Texas A&M’s Von Miller last season.
Alabama teammates Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw finished second and third.
“I had no idea what was going on,’’ said Kuechly, who recently was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He finished as the nation’s leading tackler for the second consecutive season and became the all-time leading tackler in BC and ACC history over a three-year period.
“I used to watch football growing up and I used to watch NFL Films,’’ said Kuechly, who has 532 career tackles. “They would always be talking about Dick Butkus. I just remember watching those games, and he is one of the all-time linebackers and they always mentioned his name. That’s the best award if you are a linebacker.’’
BC coach Frank Spaziani, setting up Kuechly for the surprise, said simply, “Barry [director of football operations Barry Gallup] and I can appreciate it because when we were your age, Dick Butkus was the linebacker. If there was anybody, it was Dick Butkus. Luke, you’re as close to Dick Butkus as you can get.’’
And with that, Butkus appeared behind Kuechly, carrying the trophy.
Butkus, who is also involved in a program to keep young athletes off steroids called “Just Play Clean,’’ said in Kuechly he saw the essence of what he was nearly 50 years ago. “He makes plays,’’ said Butkus. “I like his speed, he’s an intelligent player, and a good guy. If you’re not a good player, you’re not going to make plays. I think we made another great choice.’’
“I’m just a normal kid that good things are happening to,’’ said Kuechly, who now must decide whether to return for his senior season or play in the NFL. “I’m not going to hit anyone the hardest. I just try and get them down and that’s what I do.’’
Kuechly said he’ll take a few weeks to make his decision.
“I’m going to get home and make calls and talk to people,’’ he said. “I haven’t had a lot of time to think about it. I’m going to have to sit down and look at the pros and cons.’’
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The Thomas F. Scanlan Award, to the best senior scholar/athlete/citizen, was given to punter Ryan Quigley. Kuechly won the William J. Flynn Award, given to the most valuable player.
