OKLAHOMA CITY — Eric Berry has a lofty new tradition to uphold as the winner of the Jim Thorpe Award.
Two of the last three winners of the award given to the nation’s top college defensive back have gone on to win the Super Bowl the following year.
“That’s something we hope keeps rolling,” the former All-American safety at Tennessee said Monday night before receiving his award at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
New Orleans Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, last year’s Thorpe Award winner, cut short his celebration to be a part of the presentation, saying he got only about 2 hours of sleep before boarding a plane in Miami and connecting through Atlanta.
“I hope Eric gets him one, too. But hopefully I can get some more under my belt,” said Jenkins, a backup cornerback who had four tackles in the 31-17 win against Indianapolis.
Jenkins said he had made his plans to attend the Thorpe Award ceremony before the Saints ever got close to the Super Bowl and he stuck with it because he likes “to give back to people that give to me.”
“That’s pretty cool. It just tells you a lot about him,” Berry said. “He could do anything as far as after the Super Bowl, but he did make his way back to Oklahoma to come present me the award. I’m very honored for him to do that.”
The two met after the 2008 season, when both were finalists for the Thorpe Award. Berry went on to notch two interceptions and two fumble recoveries for the Vols last season. He also was second on the team with 83 tackles.
“Me not getting it the year before definitely made me go out and work harder and continue on that path,” Berry said. “I was just very excited. It made me appreciate it a lot more.”
Past winners also include Charles Woodson, Antoine Winfield, Terrell Buckley and fellow Super Bowl champion Deion Sanders.
“A lot of people put a lot of emphasis on the Heisman Trophy,” said Bennie Blades, the 1987 Thorpe winner. “I’m not taking anything away from the Heisman Trophy, but if you think about it, Jim Thorpe did it on every aspect — not only football but track, basketball, baseball. Anything that he touched, he excelled at it.”
Berry, who declared to enter the NFL draft after his junior season, said he set a goal to win the Thorpe Award years ago — after he learned about it while playing a college football video game. Berry said he’d already won the award virtually several times, using his likeness on the game.
“I definitely pay attention to a lot of the Thorpe Award winners. I’ve followed this award for a long time, so it’s definitely an honor for me to win this award,” Berry said.
Berry said he has spent his time since Tennessee’s loss in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl preparing in Florida for the NFL combine and the Thorpe banquet was one of his first chances to get away.
His goal in leaving the Vols early was to get drafted high enough that he can support his family.
“I just kind of wanted my dad and my mom to sit down and enjoy life a little bit,” Berry said.
While being wrapped up in his draft preparations, Berry said he hasn’t had the chance to meet new Tennessee coach Derek Dooley. But he isn’t holding any grudges against his former Vols coach, Lane Kiffin, for staying only one season before leaving for Southern California.
“That’s his dream job. Just like anyone else, if you had the opportunity to go do your dream job, you would probably leave, too. I can’t really say anything because I’m about to do my dream and I left college early,” Berry said.
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Comments » 71
iowa_vol writes:
Congrats to Eric and thanks for all you have done in Knoxville. You will always be a Vol legend.
ChattaVol1 writes:
Good luck Eric! You were a GREAT VOL!!!!
TennesseeGorilla writes:
Berry proved himself before leaving,Kiffin didn't. Good luck Eric!
CoverOrange writes:
That Jenkins is a class guy (so is Eric). Props to both.
allntl1#565211 writes:
Way to go Eric you are a class act. I think the problem alot of UT fans have with the former coach is he is a weasle. Did I spell weasle right? Let me try again, E-D-- O-r-g-e-r-o-n.
huntined#565710 writes:
Thanks young man now go get the CASH!!!!
jawbreaker writes:
Eric is a great person and a great Vol. Some day with continued maturity he will understand the difference between his leaving Tennessee and Kiffin's.
out_of_town_vol_fan writes:
EB is a great guy. Congrats EB...and good luck. We're gonna miss you man.
Cldvols1 writes:
Best of luck EB! Kiffin still sucks!!!
golfballs03 writes:
Don't stick up for Kiffin! Peyton Manning certainly doesn't! Leaving Tennessee early to support your family is one thing. Leaving 2 weeks before signing day and recruiting the same kids to another school is another. That's just plain treachery!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Godspeed, young Vol.
May we see a few more like you.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Wow - that was really fantastic gesture by Jenkins!
jcherrie#219531 writes:
He shows way more class than a total idiot Troll that's discussing Kiffin, Dooley, and idiots (how iroonic) on an article about the Thorpe award.
If you don't understand that the blog is regarding the Thorpe award - shut the he!! up.
lincolncovol writes:
I doubt EB reads this but if he does 2 things I would like to say to you thanks for 3 yrs. of giving your all for UT & while your perfecting the combo drills just remember to also practice the wrap up drill.Those shoulder hits won't work in the pros
volsn3 writes:
Congrats to ERIC BERRY...He is the class act of the University of Tennessee, the South Eastern Conference, and the NCAA...Now go get the money....You deserve it and your parents deserve it for raising such a fine young man.
jst4tdyvols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
423tiger18 writes:
Eric Berry is a true VOL!! I wish you all the best. I've never been much of an NFL fan but I will be tuning in next fall to watch EB...Props to Malcolm Jenkins, what an upstanding guy. Most would not have done what he did.
ResilientVol writes:
hmmm i think you might be a .....NONVOL!!!... GET HIM!
hueypilot writes:
I'm a lifelong die hard Vol fan, but I think that if I were a California guy and I had coached for five years at USC and one year at Tennessee and I was offered the HC job at USC, I'd probably have to take it. if it was the day before NSD> I think we ought to realize that once Pete Carroll left and events were set in motion, and coaches declined to take the LA job, once Kiffin was offered this was over. Time to move on and let Dooley prove this all worked out for the best. Time to wish Kiffin well. I think he worked hard for the Vols from the day he got there till the day he left. Enough rancor already. It's a new day.
mtnsvol44 writes:
Hey moron USC troll. I bet you have the same lack of class and integrity as the weasel Kook Kiffin. Right?
PennVol writes:
ER-IC BER-RY!
bigpapa writes:
Huey,
You just don't get it, do you? No one that I know is upset about Kiffin leaving for his dram job, and yes, most everyone would love the opportunity to take his or her dream job. That's not the point, though.
Most decent people who leave one job for what they see as a better opportunity would do it in a more professional and mature manner. As a manager, I have lost many people who left for a "dream job", but they gave a notice and left in good standing. Kiffin did neither.
Again, it not that he left, its how he left that upset so many Vol fans. I do agree that we need to move on and support the current staff, but everyone needs to be clear about the real reason the Vol Nation was so angry.
cloudodust writes:
Let me guess. Your girlfriend ran off with your father but hey, she's married to him...
OTPVol writes:
I think Eric has a lot better perspective on it than many of us spurned Vol fans on here. Congratulations Eric, you are a upstanding young man with character and a true Vol. I hope all your dreams, un self-centered as they are, come true. Your character is a reflection of the people your Mom and Dad are too. God bless you and your family.
As for the coaching change, it was surprising and hurtful, but I think we came out way ahead on the deal. Glad to have you here Coach Dooley and staff! GBO!!!!!!!
Halls3 writes:
See that's where you're wrong. I was a Kiffin hater from the beginning but he did tell Mike Hamilton if USC came calling he'd have to take it. This was Saturday, 3 days before being hired. It's not like the USC job was open for weeks when they came after him but instead just mere days after the opening did they offer Kiffin. What's he suppose to do? Say well give me 2 weeks so my boss can replace me? That's foolish. He did what any normal person would do in the situation & more power to him for standing up for himself. You want to blame someone for his departure blame Mike Hamilton. Hammy new that Kiffin had strong ties to the NFL & USC & would be hard pressed not to leave for one of those jobs. Now Hammy has hired someone who could end up at UGA in 3 years if successful. Hamilton is ruining the UT athletic program through his actions with hiring coaches & reinstatement of certain thugs who have no business attending the University of Tennessee (Melvin Goins & Brian Williams). I hope UT sees the light soon enough to fire Hamilton in order to find someone to restore UT to greatness or UT may struggle to return to prominance athletically.
vol4gzus writes:
Nafslov is alive and sick.......Article on Berry not your hated QB that has a Super Bowl ring for one and two they got to the big game with him. Yep pick six was ugly ,but then I forgot you are perfect and never make mistakes.
Congrats Eric Berry!!
VOLinAthensGA writes:
ERRRICCCC BERRRRRYYY Clap- clap- clap,clap,clap
Gumby#1381110 writes:
Congrats Eric on your award and a great career. We will miss you at UT.
roloyo writes:
LMAO. Now that my friend is some funny sh**
GBO
Willis writes:
You should have stayed for your seinor season.
Orangeblood13 writes:
run along
crybaby
Orangeblood13 writes:
someone from farragut givin advice, wow
least we are proud of where we are from, you are so annoying, guess that is your calling in life
Colliervol writes:
Oh yes, I'm certain he should forego millions to stay in Knoxville. Absolutely.
SomeGuy writes:
Berry is everything that Kiffin is not. Berry has class and humility, two words that Lane Kiffin couldn't spell even with a dictionary at hand.
Hacksaw57 writes:
Hey , Eric. Maybe you should tell him to check his spelling. Maybe one more year of grammer school would have helped HIM.
S-E-N-I-O-R.
Colliervol writes:
Non UT fan. Opinion irrelevant. What Kibble did was inexcusable and any reasonable human being with a sense of values knows that. We'll let up on him when he** freezes over or the NCAA drops the hammer on USC, him and Mongo. Whichever comes first. End of discussion. Move along now.
Bellem13 writes:
Eric, THANK YOU for comming our way.
Best to you, in all things.
Be terrrriffffic if you and Denis R. make the same team. I hope for the COLTS. PM already there.
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Yeah... taking over a program destined to be on probation and having the NCAA building a house in their backyard has GOT to be a better job. Whatever! :-/
polymer writes:
Eric Berry's a lot better man than me to hold no ill-will against Kiffin. "Dream job", schmeam job ... I still think we got a cream job facial from Kiffin. It's just an example of the ends-justify-the-means mentality of the world that we live in today. College coaches have become the poster children of the me-first generation.
RoadTrip writes:
EB is being classy and also smart in his response about the Liar. He knows they can influence the pro scouts and coaches about his selection in the draft.
I grew up listening to how great USC, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan were. That was until they had to come out of their little cliques and join the rest of the nation, and SEC in particular, on the field. Oops - where did they go after that?! USC is a "once" storied program like Notre Dame and Michigan. If they are the best the Pac 10 has to offer over the decade, how do they stack up with the upper etchelon of the SEC plus one (Texas)? They don't. Ohio State can't beat them either.
If the NCAA does the right thing now and in the future USC is cooked; and so it goes with the Liar and his cronies. Couldn't happen to a nicer (lol) group of guys.
topgun writes:
Amen, rotor guy!! As a UTK alum and mega-decade VOL, I say you are right on!! Great post!!
From all reports, Kiffin was fixated on(that means he really, really liked) USC, and wanted to change UT into the USC of the East. But, he was always, from day one, a classless, ego maniac who proved to be a very embarassing disparager of the SEC and, later, after bolting to USC allegedly said something nasty about UT's "yellow" pants. Obviously, all of that "singing Rockytop all night long" bull was pure BS designed to get the easily impressionable, Vol fanatics in a frenzy.
Bottom line: we should thank our lucky stars that Kiffin and his staff left. UT would have been changed into some kind of Kiffinesque monster that any vol fan would have been ashamed of.
Kiffin would have and most likely did, sell his soul to coach for USC. Regardless of what ANYONE says, for Kiffin, the USC gig is the best college coaching job in the universe!!!
Final thought: It is so refreshing, educational, and enlightening to see/read that so many, tried and true, so-called "vols" posters (you don't deserve to be called "fans" or even "people," for that matter) continually and continously disgorge, rant and blather their disrespect for a Tennessee born, Tennessee educated, UT football player, UT NC coach--Phil Fulmer. WOW, aren't the rest of us all truelly blessed and fortunate to receive your mindless drivel??
But, this man has more orange blood and done more good things for UT, my alma mater, in any five minute time cycle, than some of you nutty posters have or will ever do--IN your entire miserable lives!! GET REAL and SHUT UP!!
GOVOLS!! Beat Vandy tonite!!
SEAL_9821 writes:
Agreed. He went the wrong way about it. We sometimes take punches at Urban Meyer on here but I have a lot of respect for him and even Les Miles turning down their dream job offers (Notre Dame,Michigan) to return and coach their schools. The problem I and many others have with Kiffin leaving is the way he went about it in his press conference and not being mature enough to face the fans and media straight.
woodwr#217203 writes:
I thought the grudge he doesn't bear would be over playing almost-linebacker and thus having hardly any interceptions or pass breakups.
Who'd imagine he would not have those few yards to set the career return yardage record? I wondered if the Kiffin formation was to nudge Eric Berry to stay for his senior year.
Eric Berry playing almost-linebacker type Strong Safety may have helped the run defense, but it sure was fun to see him returning interceptions.
BigOrangeVol writes:
Jenkins was able to fly to OK from Miami after winning the Super Bowl and only getting two hours of sleep. Bennie Blades flew in from Florida and Antoine Cason made from San Diego...yet Hairlip Hamilton left EB hanging out to dry as NO ONE representing the University of Tennessee was in attendance to support one of the greatest players we've ever had!!! I'm relatively certain that McGhee Tyson was NOT shut down all day and night yesterday. What another stupid and classless move by our stupid and classless AD.
Hey KNS, oddly enough there actually are pictures out there of the event and even some of EB accepting the Thorpe award! Go figure. Great CONSCIOUS editorial decision to use the pic of Eric at a bowl game we lost with Kiffin' placecard in front of him to tie-in the stupid headline instead of a photo from the actual event the article is about...sheer stroke of genius!!!
VOLINTN64 writes:
Congrats Eric Berry we loved watching you and appreciatte the memories.I dont fault Lamey for taking the USuC job if thats his dream.I never liked him and I am glad hes gone.He got a taste of the SEC and he realized he was out of his league.He had no class before he came to UT and left with even less.Lamey is a Flake,a Fake and a liar and is better suited as a Trogan.He would have been much more revered as a coach had he won a SEC title or Natl Champ. at UT.Instead he chose to bail out and take the path of least integrity and take a job that in reality he had not earned.He has not proven a thing as a head coach other than being a sleazy unethical recruiter.His actions after leaving UT show his lack of character as a man.We gave him an opportunity at our beloved University after being fired by the worst team in the NFL and his appreciation is to spit in our face to this day.As Vol fans we should ignore the posts of the trolls and you know who you are and get excited about the future of ThE BIG ORANGE.
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
As a person, Eric Berry seems as good as they come. There will always be a lot of love in Tennessee for him. If Vol fans had half his class, we would lose the bitterness and stop hating on our former coach because he left us to accept a million bucks more and the dream job of his life. Of all Berry's great plays, I remember two in the 2009 Florida game the most vividly. Wishing Eric Berry and Family the very best, always...
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
Marc, maybe you honestly can say that about yourself, but a lot of Vol fans obviously do care about the former coach, even if its in a bad way. Personally, I think it's past time to take the high road with Lane Kiffin, expecting him to do the same with us. He is a part of Tennessee, and we are a part of him. As for that low down Coach Mongo, I must say that I am grateful to him for providing me with someone to laugh at without feeling guilty in any way.
BigOrangeVol writes:
By the way KNS, this article was written by Jeff Latzke of the Oklahoma City AP bureau and that was NOT the headline of HIS story! At least credit his byline and don't pervert his headline for your lazy, twisted and immature purposes to incite your readers.
Any writers / journalists left on staff over there? Anyone from the KNS fly out to cover this story? Anyone even place a phone call to EB for an interview?
This story's focus should be on the fact that EB is our FIRST winner of the Thorpe Award and the only Finalist we've had other than Deon Grant. Any mention that EB is our first two-time All-American since "Big John" Henderson in 2000 and 2001? Nope! You're getting as bush-league as The Tennessean!
Vol_Fan_4_Life_615 writes:
Eric Freakin Berry. The GOAT as far as im concerned. He will be to safties what Manning is to QBs. But when you compare yourself to that scum bag, young man wake up and see he not even as good as what you flush down the toilet. You are leaving for a great reason, a reason that anyone else in your spot would do to if it was them. You played your tail off for 3 years and left it all on the field every time you went out. That is what a real Vol does and man you will always be a real Vol, until the end of time. Unlike some who cant handle but one season in the SEC, he at least made it 20 games in the NFL if that tells you anything.
PS As a Bills fan i pray we trade up and get you. You and Whitner together back there will be something to see.
TommyJack writes:
Ol' Teej won't try to "sensor you, Big. But why are you in such a tizzy?
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