NFL Executive Vice President Troy Vincent Receives Distinguished NCAA Silver Anniversary Award

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Troy Vincent, NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations and former University of Wisconsin-Madison and NFL player was honored with the 2017 NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for his collegiate and professional achievements including his significant dedication to community service.

Vincent, along with five other Silver Award recipients were recognized this week at the NCAA Honors Celebration held Wednesday night, January 18, 2017 in Nashville. The Honors Celebration is part of the yearly NCAA convention.

The Silver Anniversary Award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers. Representatives of NCAA member schools and conferences, along with a panel of former student-athletes, select each year's recipients. In addition to Troy Vincent, Ty Detmer, Alonzo Mourning, Susan Robinson Fruchtl, Heather Taggart and Tommy Vardell were also recipients of the Silver Anniversary Award.

According to Vincent, his journey in football has afforded him a far-reaching and powerful platform to serve and assist others. Vincent focuses much of his attention on helping the disenfranchised; those without power or a voice. He believes that his personal mission to give back began on the field, in the locker room and in his classrooms at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Upon receiving his award Vincent expressed deep gratitude to his alma mater. "My family and I want to thank the NCAA for this wonderful opportunity to thank those at Wisconsin who did so much for me. Because of their support and encouragement, I am forever inspired to do the same for others. It is an honor to eternally be a Badger."

As a University of Wisconsin-Madison football player, Vincent earned multiple accolades for his skills on the field. In 1991, he was named the Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Year and was runner-up for the Jim Thorpe Award. During his senior year at Wisconsin, he served as a team captain, was recognized as an American Football Coaches Association All-American and was voted most valuable player by his teammates.

A perennial All-Pro during a 15-year NFL playing career with an outstanding record of achievements in business, sports and community service, his body of work continues to focus on promoting collaboration, professionalism and culture change as the standard of excellence for the game of football.

From Wisconsin to the NFL

As a defensive back, Vincent was a 1992 first round draft pick. A five-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro selection, he has received many exalted awards in sports including the famed NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, the NFL Players Association Byron Whizzer White Award, the Sporting News #1 Good Guy honor and the NFL Athletes in Action Bart Starr Award. Sporting News named him on the 35 or Younger Most Powerful People in Sports and Ebony Magazine recognized him as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Sports today.

Vincent was nominated for induction into the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility and was again nominated in 2014, 2015 and 2016.  He previously was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame for the Philadelphia Eagles and also was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the State of Pennsylvania, the University of Wisconsin and Pennsbury High, his high school alma mater.

He served as President of the NFL Players' Association from 2004 through 2008 and now serves as Executive Vice President of NFL Football Operations. 

In the last few years Vincent has received numerous awards including the National Jefferson Award for Public Service. He was named to the 2015 Ebony Power 100 list, honoring those who lead, inspire and demonstrate through their talents, the very best in Black America. Also in 2015, he accepted the Humanitarian Award: Voice Over Violence for significantly advancing the Peace Over Violence mission of building healthy relationships and communities free from sexual, domestic and interpersonal violence.

Most recently, Vincent was the recipient of the 2016 John Wooten Executive Leadership Award, the Jim Mandich Courage and Commitment Award 2016 for his stance on domestic violence and the 2016 Call to Men Award for Institutional Change for using his influence to prevent violence against girls and women.

About the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award

The Silver Anniversary Award annually recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25^th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers. Representatives of NCAA member schools and conferences, along with a panel of former student-athletes, select each year's recipients.

For Further Background Information on Troy Vincent:

Kathleen Neville
[email protected], 917-957-0580

Matt Davison
[email protected], 716-362-3162

NCAA Media Contact:

Meghan Durham
Asst. Dir. of Public & Media Relations
[email protected], 317-917-6117

SOURCE Troy Vincent