BERLIN- Most of the accolades in football at any level are reserved for the glamour guys- the golden-armed quarterbacks and fleet running backs that put points on the board and thrill the crowds with their achievements- but the weekly “Tough Guy of the Week” award is handed out to the Decatur player who best exemplifies the spirit of Seahawk football.
Started by Atlantic Physical Therapy president Bob Hammond four years ago, the weekly ATP “Tough Guy of the Week” award acknowledges the efforts of an individual player, or sometimes a unit on the team, that does the little things to help his team that don’t necessarily make it in the box score. The coaches certainly know who they are, and they’re teammates don’t forget the little things they do to make the team better, but the average fan in the stands might not recognize their accomplishments amid the glory of another victory.
The ATP “Tough Guy” award recognizes those players. After every Decatur game, Hammond presents a trophy to the tough guy of the week. At the end of the season, a “Tough Guy of the Year” award is presented to the player who best represented the qualities of the award week in and week out.