Football Writers Association of America facts for kids
The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) is a group for people who write about college football in the United States. It was started in 1941. About 1,200 professional sports writers are part of this group. These writers work for newspapers, websites, and other media. The FWAA also includes journalists, broadcasters, and public relations people. They are all involved in the world of college football.
The FWAA helps make rules for game days. They work to create better conditions for sports writers. This includes making sure writers have good places to work in press boxes. They also help writers get access to college athletes and coaches. The FWAA also gives out money to help young writers go to college. They also hold a writing contest every year.
The FWAA is one of the groups that picks the official College Football All-America Team. This team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also chooses winners for several awards. These include the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. They also pick the Outland Trophy winner. They even choose a special All-America team for new players (freshmen). They also pick a defensive player of the week during the season. From 1954 to 2013, the FWAA also gave the Grantland Rice Trophy. This award went to the college football team they thought was the National Champion.
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Picking the Best Players: All-America Teams
The Football Writers Association of America has a special committee. This committee chooses the 25 players for the All-America Team. They also pick the winners of the Bronko Nagurski and Outland trophies. In the spring, this committee creates a "Watch List." This list names players to watch for the FWAA's main awards. The FWAA has chosen an All-America Team every year since 1944. It is one of the oldest teams picked in major college football.
Who Was on the Committee?
Many sports writers and journalists have served on the FWAA All-America Committee over the years. These experts help decide which college football players are the best in the nation. For example, in 2009, writers from major newspapers and sports websites were part of the committee. These included people from espn.com, CBSSports.com, and various city newspapers. The committee changes each year, bringing in new voices and perspectives.
Bert McGrane Award: Honoring Great Contributions
The Bert McGrane Award is given to a member of the FWAA. It honors someone who has made "outstanding contributions to the organization." This award celebrates people who have helped the FWAA grow and succeed. Many important sports writers and football figures have received this award. For example, in 2024, Kirk Bohls from the Austin American-Statesman received the award. Dennis Dodd from CBS Sports received it in 2022. These awards recognize long-term dedication to college football writing.
All-Time Great Teams
The Football Writers Association of America has also picked special "All-Time Teams." They did this in 1969 to celebrate 100 years of college football. They chose an "Early Era" team for players from the very beginning of the sport. They also picked a "Modern Era" team for players from 1919 to 1968. In 1993, they chose a "Quarter-Century" team. This team honored players from 1969 to 1994.
1969–1994 All-America Team
This team was chosen in 1993. It featured some of the best players from 1969 to 1994.
- Offense
- C – Dave Rimington, Nebraska
- G – John Hannah, Alabama
- G – Dean Steinkuhler, Nebraska
- T – Bill Fralic, Pittsburgh
- T – Jerry Sisemore, Texas
- TE – Keith Jackson, Oklahoma
- WR – Anthony Carter, Michigan
- WR – Jerry Rice, Mississippi Valley
- QB – John Elway, Stanford
- RB – Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh
- RB – Herschel Walker, Georgia
- K – Tony Franklin, Texas A&M University
- KR – Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska
- Defense
- DE – Lee Roy Selmon, Oklahoma
- DE – Jack Youngblood, Florida
- DT – Steve Emtman, Washington
- DT – Randy White, Maryland
- LB – Hugh Green, Pittsburgh
- LB – Lawrence Taylor, North Carolina
- MLB – Mike Singletary, Baylor
- DB – Deion Sanders, Florida State
- DB – Ronnie Lott, Southern California
- DB – Jack Tatum, Ohio State
- DB – Kenny Easley, UCLA
- P – Ray Guy – Southern Mississippi
1919–1968 Modern Era All-America Team
This team honored great players from 1919 to 1968.
- E – Bennie Oosterbaan, Michigan
- E – Don Hutson, Alabama
- L – Bronko Nagurski, Minnesota
- L – Bruiser Kinard, Mississippi
- L – Jim Parker, Ohio State
- L – Bob Suffridge, Tennessee
- C – Mel Hein, Washington State
- B – Sammy Baugh, Texas Christian
- B – Jay Berwanger, Chicago
- B – Ernie Nevers, Stanford
- B – Red Grange, Illinois
1869–1918 Early Era All-America Team
This team recognized the top players from the very first years of college football.
- E – Frank Hinkey, Yale
- E – Huntington Hardwick, Harvard
- T – Josh Cody, Vanderbilt
- T – Wilbur Henry, Washington and Jefferson
- G – Pudge Heffelfinger, Yale
- G – Truxtun Hare, Pennsylvania
- C – Germany Schulz, Michigan
- B – Jim Thorpe, Carlisle
- B – Elmer Oliphant, Purdue
- B – Willie Heston, Michigan
- B – Walter Eckersall, Chicago
Awards Supported by the FWAA
The FWAA helps with seven awards that are part of the National College Football Awards Association.
- All-America and Freshman All-America Teams
- Bronko Nagurski Trophy
- Outland Trophy
- Grantland Rice Trophy
- Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year
- FedEx Orange Bowl Courage Award
- Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week
The FWAA-NFF Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll
Starting in 2014, 26 members of the FWAA began voting in a new poll. This poll is a partnership with the National Football Foundation. It is called the FWAA-NFF Grantland Rice Super 16 Poll. This poll helps rank the top college football teams.
See also
- Pro Football Writers Association
- National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association
- Baseball Writers' Association of America
- United States Basketball Writers Association (college)
- Pro Basketball Writers Association
- Professional Hockey Writers Association
- National Sports Media Association
