April 14, 2012

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AUBURN, Ala. - Samford head coach Pat Sullivan was honored by Auburn University, along with fellow Heisman Trophy winners Bo Jackson and Cam Newton, with a statue outside of Auburn's Jordan-Hare Stadium in a ceremony Saturday morning.

Sullivan won the Heisman Trophy as the Tigers' quarterback in 1971. Sullivan was a three-year starter at quarterback for Auburn, from 1969 to 1971. In addition to winning the Heisman Trophy, he was named an All-American and the SEC Player of the Year in 1970 and 1971. He helped lead Auburn to three post-season bowl appearances, and was named the MVP of the 1970 Gator Bowl and the 1971 Sugar Bowl.

Following his senior season, Sullivan was named the MVP of the 1972 Senior Bowl, and he played in the College All-Star Classic, taking on the Super Bowl champion Dallas Cowboys.

Sullivan played professional football for five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers.

Sullivan is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame and the College Football Hall of Fame.

Each of the three honorees spoke at the ceremony. During Sullivan's speech, he mentioned two men he wished could have been in attendance, his father, Jerry, and his coach, Ralph "Shug" Jordan.

"I know I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them," Sullivan said. "I know they are looking down, and I know they are proud."

Sullivan said, even though the Heisman and other awards he won are individual awards, he knows he didn't win them by himself.

"I know that I didn't win it by myself," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said three choices defined his life--his faith, his decision to attend Auburn and his decision to marry his wife, Jean. All three of those choices came into play when he was diagnosed with cancer nine years ago, a battle he said he could not have won without his faith, the support of his wife and former teammates and even former rivals who showed their support throughout the fight of his life.

"I know I wouldn't be here today without all of those things," Sullivan said.

While Sullivan said he was grateful for the awards and for the new statue that bears his name, he counts his relationship with former teammates among his greatest blessings.

"It's not these statues," Sullivan said. "It's not the awards. Sure they are a part of it. But what you get out of athletics when it's all said it's done, it's the relationships that last for a lifetime."