Gators great Wuerffel set to honor Alabama's Barrett Jones on Friday in Fort Walton Beach
Thursday, February 16, 2012 | Football, Scott Carter
Former Gators quarterback Danny Wuerffel will be back in his hometown of Fort Walton Beach on Friday night for a special event.
Wuerffel is honoring Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones with the 2011 Wuerffel Trophy honoring the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with academic and athletic achievement.
Jones was a star lineman for the national championship Crimson Tide who graduated in August with a 4.0 GPA during his work toward an accounting degree. He is now working toward his master's degree and volunteered a lot of time year during the tornado cleanup efforts in Tuscaloosa.
Jones was one of 12 finalists that also included Heisman winner Robert Griffin III of Baylor and USC quarterback Matt Barkley. Former Gators QB Tim Tebow won the award in 2008.
You can listen to Wuerffel's call to Alabama coach Nick Saban to tell him Jones was this year's winner here at this link.
Meanwhile, Wuerffel continues his slow recovery from Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a serious disorder that occurs when the body's immune system attacks part of the nervous system.
In his latest message on desirestreet.org posted Jan. 18, Wuerffel is optimistic that 2012 will be a healthier year than 2011 and vows to continue to work on behalf of those less fortunate.
