The John Unitas Golden Arm Award presentation is moving from Louisville to Baltimore, according to John Unitas Jr., president of the Golden Arm Educational Foundation.
“I?ve been thinking about it for a long time. This is where my father?s legacy was made,” Unitas said.
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“It just seems appropriate to move it at this time.”
Given annually to the top college senior quarterback, the award ceremony is scheduled to take place on Dec. 8 at the Tremont Grand Hotel on N. Charles Street.
This year?s senior class of quarterbacks will include Brady Quinn (Notre Dame), Troy Smith (Ohio St.) and Chris Leak (Florida).
Unitas said the movement also makes sense logistically, considering the Heisman Trophy presentation in New York will take place four days later and the nominees likely will be attending that ceremony as well.
Scheduled guest speakers include former Baltimore Colts great Raymond Berry and 1988 Golden Arm Award-winner Rodney Peete.
Unitas said he is trying to line up other former Colts.
“It?s one of the awards I still hold dear,” Peete said. “It?s an honor to be associated with Johnny Unitas.”
In 1999 the award was given to the Ravens? third-round draft selection Chris Redman. Other former recipients include the Colts? Peyton Manning, the Bengals? Carson Palmer, former Nebraska quarterback Tommie Frazier and last year?s winner Matt Leinart.
The foundation, which began the award in 1987, also gives out 30 academic scholarships to high school students in both Maryland and Kentucky.
