Clemson football announces team honors, Brian Dawkins Award |
| - Saturday, January 16, 2021, 7:16 PM |
CLEMSON, S.C.—Former Clemson letterman Carl Martin has been named the recipient of the 2021 Brian Dawkins Lifetime Achievement Award. Since 2013, Head Coach Dabo Swinney has presented the honor to a former Clemson player who exemplifies excellence in the areas of integrity, scholarship, athletics, service, leadership, commitment, dedication, courage, resilience and spirit.
Recipients must be out of school at least 10 years to qualify. Dawkins, who played 16 years in the NFL and was named to nine Pro Bowls and was a finalist for many public service awards, was the first recipient.
“I was overwhelmed when [Clemson Football Director of Career & Professional Development] Rashard Hall called me,” Martin said. “I know who the former winners are and what they have achieved. To win an award with the Dawkins family name on it and to receive the award from Dabo Swinney’s program is a great honor. Brian Dawkins has represented Clemson and the NFL in the highest degree, and I have admired what Coach Swinney has done at Clemson since he first came to Clemson in 2003. He has built an incredible culture.”
A Life Coach with VisionVentures, Inc., Martin specializes in performance goal-setting and relational skill development for pastors, executives, business leaders and other entrepreneurs. Most importantly, he also supervises a mentoring program in Bluffton, S.C., with which a program he has worked for 15 years. The program has had a positive effect on disadvantaged youth through a long-term program.
Martin graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Political Science after being the smallest player on Danny Ford’s National Championship squad in 1981. He played on Clemson teams of 1979-82, earning letters in 1981 and 1982. The Tigers won the National Championship in 1981 and won ACC titles in 1981 and 1982. He played in every game his junior and senior seasons and recorded 10 special teams tackles, among the top totals on the team for that period.
“Carl is a super person,” said Head Coach Danny Ford in an article on Martin during his playing days. “Pound-for-pound, he is the toughest player on the team and possibly the strongest. He has a lot of pride in his team and this school. It means a lot to us to have a player like Carl Martin on this team.”
After his graduation in the spring of 1983, Martin became a graduate assistant in the Clemson strength training department. He then completed his Master’s Degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1987 and earned his Doctorate degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1998.
Martin has served two churches as Lead Pastor, planted a church and has worked for the South Carolina Baptist Convention on the Church Planting Team. He recently completed a role as Associate Pastor of Adult Ministries at Low Country Community Church in Bluffton, a church that welcomes 2000 people to their weekend worship venues.
Martin is celebrating 34 years together with his wife, Peggi Nabors Martin, of Greenville S.C., and the Martins have one adult daughter, Lauren.
Brian Dawkins Award Recipients
2013: Brian Dawkins, 1992-95
2014: Bill Smith, 1977-81
2015: Warren Forney, 1991-95
2016: Jerry Butler, 1975-78
2017: Jeff Davis, 1978-81
2018: Mark Richardson, 1979-82
2019: Michael Allen, 1995-98
2020: Michael Dean Perry, 1984-87
2021: Carl Martin, 1979-82
In addition to Martin’s selection for this honor, Clemson's list of awards presented at the team's annual awards banquet on Saturday evening is included below.
OFFENSIVE AWARDS
Solid Rock Award
Most solid, consistent and dependable player(s) at each position
Hustle Award
Consistent effort and served as an inspiration to teammates
OL Cade Stewart
WR Will Swinney
12th Man Award
TE Davis Allen
OL Walker Parks
QB D.J. Uiagalelei
WR E.J. Williams
Iron Man Award
Dependable player with resilient persistence and leadership
TE Davis Allen
OL Cade Stewart
Most Improved Offensive Players of the Year
RB Chez Mellusi
WR Cornell Powell
OL Will Putnam
Rookies of the Year
OL Walker Parks
QB D.J. Uiagalelei
WR E.J. Williams
Defensive Scout Team Players of the Year
LB Sergio Allen
LB Kevin Swint
Tiger Pride Award (MVP)
RB Travis Etienne
QB Trevor Lawrence
WR Cornell Powell
WR Amari Rodgers
Future Impact Players
WR Ajou Ajou
RB Kobe Pace
Paw Award
Most blue collar/unselfish player
TE Davis Allen
TE JC Chalk
OL Will Putnam
RB Darien Rencher
WR Brannon Spector
DEFENSIVE AWARDS
Solid Rock Award
Most solid, consistent and dependable player(s) at each position
DE Myles Murphy
DT Tyler Davis
CB Andrew Booth
Hustle Award
Consistent effort and served as an inspiration to teammates
DT Tyler Davis
LB Baylon Spector
S Nolan Turner
12th Man Award
CB Andrew Booth
S Joseph Charleston
Iron Man Award
Dependable player with resilient persistence and leadership
DT Tyler Davis
DE K.J. Henry
LB James Skalski
LB Baylon Spector
S Nolan Turner
Most Improved Defensive Players of the Year
CB Andrew Booth
LB Mike Jones Jr.
LB Baylon Spector
LB Jake Venables
Rookies of the Year
DL Bryan Bresee
DE Myles Murphy
LB Trenton Simpson
Offensive Scout Team Players of the Year
WR Hamp Greene
WR Max May
OL Zac McIntosh
Tiger Pride Award (MVP)
LB James Skalski
LB Baylon Spector
S Nolan Turner
Future Impact Players
CB Fred Davis II
S R.J. Mickens
DT Tré Williams
Paw Award
Most blue collar/unselfish player
LB Mike Jones Jr.
DE Regan Upshaw
SPECIAL TEAMS AWARDS
Most Improved Special Teams Player of the Year
LS Jack Maddox
Offensive Special Teams Players of the Year
TE Davis Allen
WR Amari Rodgers
H Will Swinney
Defensive Special Teams Players of the Year
S Carson Donnelly
DT Nyles Pinckney
Specialists of the Year
PK B.T. Potter
STRENGTH AWARDS
NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-Americans
OL Matt Bockhorst
LB James Skalski
OL Cade Stewart
DE Regan Upshaw
Dedication Award
WR Amari Rodgers
LB James Skalski
All-In Accountability Challenge Champion Captains
LS Tyler Brown
OL Cade Stewart
All-In Accountability Challenge Champion Team Members
TE Davis Allen
LB Sergio Allen
OL Will Boggs
LB David Cote
S Carson Donnelly
DT James Edwards
TE Jaelyn Lay
OL Walker Parks
OL Mason Trotter
OL Blake Vinson
Congrats to @arodgers_3 on winning the 2020 Tim Bourret Award, presented to the player who best represents himself and Clemson in the media.
— Ross Taylor (@ClemsonFBRoss) January 17, 2021
Fourteen different players recorded at least one first-, second- or third-place vote. Thanks to our team & media in an unprecedented year. pic.twitter.com/lk9UWBXIiY
nowhere near where we’re headed, but so far from where we’ve come from
— ???????????? ?????????????? (@D_Rench_) January 17, 2021
- offensive hustle award
- most inspirational award
- spiritual leadership award
- offensive paw award
officially wraps up such a special year @ClemsonFB — much more in store ?? pic.twitter.com/8iVR8MdEHw
