Paris Johnson Jr., an offensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals, is introducing a new award in his home state of Ohio. The Paris Johnson Jr. Foundation announced it will launch the Ohio High School Offensive Lineman of the Year award, which will recognize a senior player who shows outstanding qualities on the field and within their community.
The award aims to highlight both athletic achievement and leadership among high school offensive linemen in Ohio, a position that often does not receive much attention. Johnson said in a statement, “Offensive linemen are the backbone of any successful football team, but their contributions often go unrecognized. This award is about more than football performance. It’s about celebrating young men who protect their teammates on the field and serve as leaders in their schools and communities.”
This initiative comes at a time when the NFL has also introduced its own Protector of the Year award for offensive linemen, which will debut at the upcoming NFL Honors event after this season.
The creation of this award by Johnson’s foundation is meant to reward excellence among players who play key roles for their teams while also making positive impacts beyond sports.
