Utah LB Cody Barton Earns Pat Tillman Award
Jan 18, 2019, 7:21 PM
Cody Barton #30 of the Utah Utes reacts turnover a tackle against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half of The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 31, 2018 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah linebacker Cody Barton has been named the recipient of this year’s East-West Shrine Game’s Pat Tillman Award, recognizing the player who best exemplifies intelligence, sportsmanship and service.
The award, which celebrates a student-athlete’s achievements and conduct on and off the field, is the second for the Utes. The first player from Utah to take home the award is current defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, winning the inaugural award in 2005.
Barton played in 50 games at Utah, starting 23, and took part of 35 wins since his true freshman season in 2015. The Brighton High School graduate led the Utes in total tackles this season as a senior with 116, also finishing third on the team in tackles for loss with 10.5 and 4 sacks.
Barton was also integral to the Utes defensive unit away from the line of scrimmage, finishing with six pass deflections, one interception and a forced fumble.
He and the rest of the East-West Shrine Game participants visited the Shriners Hospital for Children in St. Petersberg. While there, he had the chance to interact with patients by sharing stories and playing games, forming instant bonds with the children at the hospital.
Barton will play in the 94th East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field on Saturday. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. on the NFL Network.
Incredible honor to an incredible Ute!! Well deserved, Cody!! https://t.co/gQFpqoscWo
— Morgan Scalley (@SafetyPride) January 19, 2019
About Pat Tillman
Pat Tillman was a professional football player who walked away from the game after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 to join the U.S. Army and fight for our country. A stand-out at Arizona State University, Tillman was named Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior and was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals.
After just three years in the NFL, Tillman turned down a multi-million dollar contract offer from the Cardinals to enlist in the U.S. Army. Tillman served multiple tours of duty, including Operation Iraqi Freedom, before he was killed during a mission in Afghanistan in 2004.
The East-West Shrine Game Pat Tillman Award is presented to a player who best exemplifies character, intelligence, sportsmanship and service. The award is about a student-athlete’s achievements and conduct, both on and off the field.
