The D.N.A.

Twelve principles that decide what the Award honors, how it speaks, and who it serves. They are the reason a trophy this size goes to five men instead of one.

No one reaches greatness alone.

Greatness is shared.

Core beliefs

Principle 1: We honor the unit
Great teams move with a shared purpose. Every block, every rep, and every sacrifice contributes to something larger than any individual achievement. Collective success has always been the foundation of lasting greatness.
Principle 2: Celebrate how success happens
Success is earned through preparation, discipline, and daily commitment. We honor the work, habits, and decisions that shape championship teams long before game day arrives.
Principle 3: Greatness creates greatness
Every achievement carries the influence of teammates, coaches, mentors, and those who invested in the journey. Success reaches its highest form when it is shared with others.

Visual anchors

Principle 4: Reveal the unseen
The most meaningful contributions often happen beyond the spotlight. We recognize the effort, dedication, and selflessness that make extraordinary accomplishments possible.
Principle 5: Preserve the craft
Mastery is built through fundamentals. Repetition, technique, and attention to detail transform potential into performance and create the foundation for excellence.
Principle 6: Embrace the toughness & culture
The offensive line already has a culture and a style all its own. We bring out the toughness and the edge, and we keep the personality that comes with it.

Cultural truths

Principle 7: Elevate others & ourselves
Strong cultures create opportunities for others to grow. Leadership is demonstrated through service, encouragement, and a commitment to helping those around us succeed. To elevate how we are perceived nationally, we have to be everything we want to be now: prestigious, sought after, and gritty in the trenches.
Principle 8: Strengthen the brotherhood
Football has always been built on connection. Shared experiences, mutual respect, and enduring relationships unite generations and strengthen the fabric of the game. We lean into the bonds that already exist, and showcase them to the world.
Principle 9: Tell the hard truth
Tough love is an act of respect. It reflects a commitment to helping others reach their full potential and to protecting the integrity of the team. Keep it honest, just like Joe would.

Vision forward

Principle 10: We are the people’s award
We honor what others have missed, and bring the spotlight to where recognition is deserved. We aim to represent the collective good of the sport, the players, and the fans.
Principle 11: We are the salt of the game
The game is built on people whose impact extends far beyond recognition. They bring substance, character, and strength to every team they join. They are the foundation beneath the spotlight and the force that gives the game its depth and meaning.
Principle 12: Leave the game better
Each generation inherits a responsibility to serve the next. We invest in the future of the game, its people, and its traditions so that those who follow can build upon a stronger foundation.

The framework

People. Principles. Pursuit.

People

College football’s fans are the largest audience in American sport — and this award belongs to the part of it the camera skips: the coaches, the current and former linemen, and the families who raised them. Every age, every corner of the country, tuned to the trenches.