The Memphis Area Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has announced five finalists for the 2008 John “Bull” Bramlett Award presented by ServiceMaster. The award will be presented at this year’s FCA / AutoZone Liberty Bowl Prayer Breakfast on December 31, 2008, to the high school football player in the Shelby County area who best exemplifies excellence on the field, as well as high character, integrity and godliness off the field.
The five finalists, all seniors, are Andrew Brimhall of First Assembly Christian School, Nathan Jolley of Houston High School, Darius Nelson of Bishop Byrne High School, Will Rikard of Harding Academy and Walt Wepfer of Memphis University School.
Brimhall was a standout quarterback, free safety and punter for the Crusaders of FACS and is the school’s all-time single season passing leader. Jolley was an exceptional dual-threat quarterback for the Mustangs who also served as the team’s punter. Nelson stood out as both a running back and inside linebacker for the Red Knights. Rikard, a Tennessee Mr. Football finalist, was an outstanding linebacker and offensive lineman as the Lions finished as state runner-up in Division II-A. Wepfer, who excelled as a strong safety, running back and punter, helped lead the Owls of MUS to this year’s Division II-AA state championship.
Each of the five finalists were captains of their respective teams, highly recommended by their coaches, and stood out both on and off the playing field. The finalists and their families will be the guests of the FCA at the annual prayer breakfast to be held at 7:00 am on December 31st at the Memphis Hilton. This year’s breakfast will feature Fisher DeBerry, former Head Football Coach at the U.S. Air Force Academy, whose teams competed in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl four consecutive years from 1989-1992.
John “Bull” Bramlett was an all-pro NFL linebacker after a distinguished playing career at the University of Memphis (then Memphis State). He is currently a renowned speaker who travels the country addressing sports teams and college, high school and middle school students about the dramatic turnaround in his life after his encounter with the gospel. Past Bramlett Award winners include Tyler King of Cordova High School in 2007, Doug Carlock of Central High in 2006, Douglas Williams of Fairley High in 2005 and Hall Simmons of Evangelical Christian School in 2004.
