Ashton Richardson wins Bowden Award

Auburn linebacker Ashton Richardson won the 2012 Bobby Bowden Award, presented by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to the NCAA Division I football player who best epitomizes a student-athlete.

“It’s definitely humbling to receive this award, especially since it is named for a man like coach Bobby Bowden,” Richardson said in a statement. “Our campus and community pastors have been great mentors to me during my time at Auburn, and the Auburn family has always been supportive of me in my faith journey, as well as in academics and athletics. This is a tremendous honor.”

The award was presented by former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes reception at the BCS national championship site in Miami on Friday evening. University of Southern California quarterback Matt Barkley and Ohio State University defensive end John Simon were the other two finalists.

Richardson graduated in December with a 3.95 GPA in animal science and plans to attend veterinary school. A Rhodes Scholar finalist, Richardson was a three-time member of the all-SEC academic honor roll and a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation’s William Campbell Trophy.

“Ashton is an outstanding individual and I think the world of him,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement. “He always stood out to me with his dedication and work ethic. You could tell he would be successful in life. Ashton is a positive role model to everyone he encounters and will continue to make a positive impact on society in his future endeavors. I’m very happy for Ashton to be receiving the Bobby Bowden Award. It couldn’t be given to a better person. We’re proud of the way he represents Auburn football and the Auburn family.”

Richardson has volunteered each week for the past four years as a mentor at the Lee County Youth Development Center. The New Orleans, La., native was a part of the 2010 BCS national championship team and had four tackles and one sack in 11 games played this season.

“Ashton Richardson epitomizes everything this award was created to recognize,” Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs said in a statement. “It is gratifying to see such a humble, deserving and truly outstanding young man be honored with such an important award.”

A list of all Bobby Bowden Award winners:

Year        Winner                                   Institution

2003        Jason Wright                           Northwestern

2004        Billy Bajema                            Oklahoma State

2005        D. J. Shockley                         Georgia

2006        Carl Pendleton                         Oklahoma

2007        Jacob Tamme                         Kentucky

2008        Stephen McGee                      Texas A&M

2009        Colt McCoy                             Texas

2010        Christian Ponder                      Florida State

2011        Case Keenum                         Houston

2012        Ashton Richardson                  Auburn