NEW ORLEANS – Carl Peterson, former President of the Kansas City Chiefs, along with Les Miles, Head Coach of the LSU Tigers, long time Prep Coach Mickey Roussel of the Riverside Academy Rebels, and Ron Brocato, Sports Editor of the Clarion-Herald will be honored for their contributions to football by The Touchdown Club of New Orleans at a banquet on February 25 at The Windsor Court Hotel, 300 Gravier Street in New Orleans. Additionally, Rev. Msgr. Clinton Doskey will be recognized for his years of service as the Club’s Chaplain.
Tickets are available by calling The Touchdown Club at (504) 242-4545. Gerry Vallancourt, Hornets Radio Color Analyst will serve as master of ceremonies.
The Club will present Peterson with the 22rd annual Pete Rozelle Award, given each year to the person who has made outstanding contributions to professional football and the National Football League. Peterson’s tenure with the NFL began in 1988 as President and General Manager of the Chiefs. In 2009, he became the Chairman of USA Football – the sport’s national governing body dedicated to strengthening the game of football on youth and amateur levels.
Collegiate Award recipient Miles started coaching in 1980 as a Michigan assistant under Bo Schembechler. He became a Head Coach at Oklahoma State in 2001 and took the reins of the LSU Tigers in 2005 compiling a 103-39 record. LSU has a 75-18 record under his leadership including a national championship, two SEC titles, and three SEC Western Division crowns.
Mickey Roussel is synonymous with devotion. This year’s Prep honoree started coaching in 1989 at Riverside Academy, his Alma Mater. In the 22 years of coaching, his Rebels were AA State Runner-up three times. Roussel also coached the Rebel softball team for a number of years.
Ron Brocato will receive the Bob Roesler Media Award for his work as a Prep Sports Writer, author, and screen writer. Brocato covered Prep Sports for the Times-Picayune until 1987 and now serves as Sports Editor of The Clarion-Herald. He has received numerous national and regional awards including LA Sports Writer of the Year by the National Sports Writers and Sportscasters in 1974 and Prep Writer of the Year by the LA Sports Writers Association in 1997.
The Touchdown Club was founded in 1967 initially to promote the best interests of the New Orleans Saints. The Club has grown to promote the American game of football in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana and the Gulf South. Its members are among the most avid Saints supporters and fans of football at all levels.
Past Honorees
Pete Rozelle Award Recipients
2011 Ron Wolf, former General Manager, Green Bay Packers
2010 Pat Summerall, former NY Giant and sports broadcaster
2009 Ernie Accorsi, former General Manager, New York Giants
2008 Jim Steeg, Exec.V.P. & COO, San Diego Chargers
2007 Tom Benson, owner, New Orleans Saints
2005 Jerry Markbreit, NFL Official
2004 Dick Vermeil, Head Coach, Kansas City Chiefs
2003 Steve Sabol, President, NFL Films
2002 Vince Lombardi, former coach, Green Bay Packers
2001 Bill Walsh, former coach, San Francisco 49er’s
2000 Don Weiss, former executive director of the NFL
1999 Ralph Wilson, president, Buffalo Bills
1998 Tex Schramm, former general manager, Dallas Cowboys
1997 Marv Levy, former coach, Buffalo Bills
1996 Don Shula, former coach, Miami Dolphins
1995 Tom Landry, former coach, Dallas Cowboys
1994 Lamar Hunt, owner, Kansas City Chiefs
1993 Jim Finks, former general manager, New Orleans Saints
1992 Art Modell, owner, Baltimore Ravens
1991 Wellington Mara, president, New York Giants
1990 Dan Rooney, President, Pittsburgh Steelers
1989 Pete Rozelle, the former NFL Commissioner
College Award Recipients
2011 Urban Meyer, former Head Coach, Florida Gators
2010 Phillip Fulmer, former Head Coach, Tennessee Volunteers
2009 Gene Stallings, former Head Coach, Alabama Crimson Tide
2008 Vince Dooley, former Head Coach & AD, Georgia Bulldogs
2007 Bobby Bowden, Head Coach, Florida State Seminoles
2005 Tommy Tuberville, Head Coach, Auburn Tigers
2004 Nick Saban, Head Coach, LSU Tigers
Prep Award Recipients
2011 Eddie N. Flint, Defensive Coach, McDonogh #35 Roneagles
2010 Jay Roth, Head Coach, Rummel Raiders
2009 Bob Becnel, Head Coach & Athletic Director, Belle Chasse Cardinals
2008 Laury DuPont, Head Coach, West St. John Rams
2007 Wayne Reese, Head Coach, McDonogh #35 Roneagles
2005 Tony Reginelli, former Head Coach, Newman Greenies
2004 J.T. Curtis, Head Coach, Curtis Patriots
Bob Roesler Media Award Recipients
2011 Jeff Duncan, Columnist, The Times-Picayune
2010 Brian Allee-Walsh, Editorial Columnist, New Orleans.Com/Sports
2009 Ed Daniels, Sports Director, ABC 26
2008 Jim Henderson, Sports Director, WWL-TV
2007 Peter Finney, Sports Columnist, The Times-Picayune
2005 Buddy Diliberto, Sportscaster
2004 Bob Roesler, former Executive Sports Editor, The Times-Picayune
Note: No awards were presented in 2006 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
