Henderson Receives Bednarik Trophy As Nation's Top Defensive Player
12/12/2002 7:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 12, 2002
ORLANDO, Fla. -
Senior linebacker E.J. Henderson Thursday night was named the winner of the Chuck Bednarik Trophy, given annually by the Maxwell Club to the nation's top defensive player.
The announcement was made on national television as part of the ESPN/Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
"This is a tremendous honor, especially when you consider the type of players I was up against for the award - Terrell Suggs of Arizona State and Tommie Harris of Oklahoma - and the fact it was announced on national television," said Henderson. "It ranks right up there as one of the highlights of my football career."
Henderson, a fifth-year senior from Aberdeen, Md., led the Terps in tackles for the second straight season, totaling 163 stops. He had 15.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 quarterback sacks. He closed out the regular season by matching his career high with 19 total tackles vs. both Virginia and Wake Forest. Against the Demon Deacons, he set a personal best with 16 solo stops. His last defensive play in Byrd Stadium was a quarterback sack for a safety in Maryland's victory over Wake.
Henderson is also a finalist for the second straight year for the Dick Butkus Award, given annually to the nation's outstanding linebacker. The winner of the Butkus Award will be announced Friday night in Orlando. Both Henderson and Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen will be in attendance.
