Legends Award
This award is intended to provide recognition to a person closely related to the game of football who has given tirelessly and effectively throughout his or her career for the betterment of the game and its participants, without being a player or coach. The recipient will have maintained a lifetime of interest in the football while exhibiting exceptional leadership qualities in his or her profession and bringing recognition to the local area covered by this NFF chapter.
Selection process: Nominations are accepted throughout the year from NFF chapter members and considered by the Awards Committee, which recommends no more than one recipient per year. This recommendation must be ratified by the Board of Directors and the presentation should be made at the annual Honors Dinner.
2012 Honoree: Denny Miller, former head athletic trainer of Purdue University
2014 Honoree: Joe Rudolph, former executive director of Purdue Alumni Association
2015 Honoree: John Friend, former coach, athletics director, administrator in NW Indiana
2016 Honoree: Tom Spurgeon, former student manager, supporter, Trustee of Purdue
2017 Honoree: Roy Johnson, former “Voice” of the “All-American” Marching Band
2018 Honoree: Jeff Washburn, former sportswriter, Journal and Courier and Associated Press
2019 Honoree: Larry Clisby, play-by-play announcer for Purdue and local high schools
2021 Honoree: Leroy Keyes, former Purdue All-American running back
2022 Honoree: Tim Newton, Purdue football play-by-play announcer
2023 Honoree: Nancy Cross, Purdue Athletics administrator
Nancy Cross received the Leroy Keyes Legends Award presented by (left to right) Alan Karpick and Kelley Kitchel at the National Football Foundation’s Joe Tiller Chapter Honors Brunch, Sunday, Jun. 25, 2023 in West Lafayette.
Purdue football broadcaster Tim Newton received the 2022 Leroy Keyes Legends Award after being named the 2021 Indiana Sportscaster of the Year.
Larry Clisby received the Legends Award in 2019 for his 40+ years of broadcasting for Purdue Athletics and area sports in addition to his courage in battling cancer.
Cheryl Washburn and her son, Jade, received the 2018 Legends Award on behalf of her late husband, Jeff.
Tom Spurgeon provides words of wisdom to the scholar-athletes at the NFF "Celebrating Our Legends XII" Honors Dinner on June 10. Spurgeon received the Legends Award for his business success and contributions to Purdue.
Former Purdue Alumni Association executive director Joe Rudolph was bestowed with the 2014 Legends Award.
Long-time Purdue athletic trainer Denny Miller was recognized as the Legends Award winner for his service to the University.
