2012 Golden Arm Award
Congratulations to Collin Klein of Kansas State, recipient of the 2012 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.
Click here to see photos from the event.
"Collin is not just a tremendous athlete and leader on the field, but an MVP off the field as well, who repeatedly has been recognized for his numerous contributions to the community and to the spirit of sportsmanship" says John C. Unitas, Jr., President of The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation.
There’s a lot of pride when it comes to Collin Klein.
He’s proud when his team scores a touchdown; proud when his team is victorious; proud when he is even mentioned for prestigious awards with other great players across the country; and also just as proud when he reads books to elementary school kids, helps in Special Olympic projects or attends functions for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
For his hard work both on and off the field, Klein can be proud of his accomplishments in 2012.
The Loveland, Colo., product led Kansas State to its third conference championship in school history and seventh 11-win season. Some of his top accolades this year include the fact that he has accounted for 37 touchdowns to rank 11th nationally in touchdown responsibility, while he is second nationally and tops among quarterbacks with 22 rushing scores. Additionally, he is the only quarterback from a BCS?AQ school in the BCS?era to rush for at least 20 touchdowns and pass for at least 10 touchdowns in multiple seasons.
In 12 games this year, Klein has completed 180-of-272 passes for 2,490 yards and 15 touchdowns while totaling 980 rushing yards on 194 attempts. He ranks eighth in school history in passing yardage and 10th in touchdowns, while he is tied for tied for seventh in completions. Additionally, his current season pass efficiency rating of 156.12 ranks third in school history, while he is tied for second in rushing touchdowns behind his school-record 27 scores last season.
Aside from being the first quarterback in school history to win the esteemed Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, Klein was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell, Manning and Davey O’Brien Awards.
With his outstanding senior campaign, Klein has compiled 22 career wins as a starting quarterback, which is tied for the most under legendary head coach Bill Snyder.
As a player who will go down as one of the best in K-State history as both a passer and runner, Klein ranks in the top 10 in school history in rushing touchdowns (1st; 55), touchdown responsibility (1st; 84), scoring (2nd; 336), total yards (3rd; 7,028), passing efficiency (3rd; 141.05), rushing attempts (3rd; 588), rushing yards (5th; 2,455), completions (5th, 353), passing touchdowns (t6th; 29), passing yards (7th; 4,573) and pass attempts (8th; 572). His 55 rushing touchdowns also rank fourth in Big 12 history and second among quarterbacks.
Although he is most known for his accomplishments and leadership on the field, those same values follow Klein away from the game. A member of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team and a finalist for both the Senior CLASS Award and ARA Sportsmanship Award, Klein has truly been a team player in the community as well as on the gridiron. He has been an active volunteer since his arrival in Manhattan community in 2008, working with programs such as Read to Achieve (helping at elementary schools) and Adopt-a-Family, while he has been a regular volunteer for the Special Olympics Sports Clinic at K-State in addition to his work with the FCA.
Klein also takes pride in his family and his faith. His parents, Doug and Kelly, raised him and his younger brother Kyle – a redshirt freshman wide receiver at K-State – to follow the Lord. His faith also led him to his wife, Shalin, who was a women’s basketball player for the Wildcats and is the daughter of former K-State and Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, Gary Spani.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Criteria
Determination of the Award will be based upon the on-field performance of the nominees, as well as their character. To be a Golden Arm Award Winner, these quarterbacks must demonstrate good citizenship off the field, and do their best to maintain the ideals of good character, morals, and values that Johnny Unitas upheld in his career.
To be eligible for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, all candidates MUST be completing their college eligibility this season or be a 4th year Junior who is on schedule to graduate with his class this year. Candidates are judged upon character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and athletic accomplishments. They MUST also preserve a positive public image above reproach by avoiding legal issues or other types of scandal.
