Dec. 10, 2003

HOUSTON, TEXAS - Oklahoma junior defensive tackle Tommie Harris won the 2003 Rotary Lombardi Award tonight at Houston's Reliant Stadium during the honor's annual presentation ceremony. Harris is the third player in OU history to win the award, joining Lee Roy Selmon (1975) and Tony Casillas (1985). The award goes annually to the college football lineman - offense or defense - who, in addition to outstanding performance and ability, best exemplifies the discipline of Vince Lombardi, the legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers.

The announcement comes two days after fellow Sooner Derrick Strait won the 2003 Nagurski Award, considered the Heisman for the defensive players. This was the second time that Harris was a Lombardi finalist after losing to Arizona State's Terrell Suggs in 2002. Harris is the 12th finalist for OU and no school has more finalists for the award. It also ranks the Sooners fourth all-time in Lombardi Award winners, behind only Ohio State (5), Notre Dame (4) and Nebraska (4).

Harris is a two-time (2003, 2003) consensus All-American and was also a finalist for the 2003 Nagurski Award, which was bestowed upon Strait. In addition, Harris is a finalist for the Bednarik, along with OU linebacker Teddy Lehman, which will be announced at the 2003 Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN Thursday evening. The Killeen, Texas native is also a three-time consensus First Team All-Big 12 selection.

"I did not really think that I was going to win this award tonight and I was speechless when I did," said OU defensive tackle Tommie Harris. "The Lombardi speaks volumes about the success of this season and that hard work pays off. It is truly a blessing to play for a school with the history of Oklahoma. When I looked back at past winners like Lee Roy Selmon, I knew I wanted to live in the legacy of being a Sooner gridiron great and I have accomplished that with this award tonight."

Harris has been one of the most dominant lineman in OU history, despite being double and triple teamed for most of his career. He has recorded eight sacks and 33 tackles for loss during his three-year Sooner career.

Harris' 2003 season is best remembered by two signature plays. Against Iowa State Harris covered 21 yards to tackle WR Jack Whitver from behind and force a fumble that OU recovered. When Cyclone QB Austin Flynn released the pass, Harris was four yards deep in the backfield at the ISU 22. The tackle and forced fumble occurred at the ISU 43.

Against UCLA, Harris snagged a fumble out of the air and raced across the field. Harris looked like a running back as he switched the ball to his right arm (outside) and raced past several UCLA players before netting 14 yards and being forced out of bounds.

"All the staff and the teammates of Tommie Harris are proud of him for winning this award," commented Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops. "He is one of the great leaders of this team and contributed a lot to the success of this season. He epitomizes the hard work and discipline that this award is all about and there is no one more deserving in the nation than Tommie Harris."

Harris was a finalist along with David Pollack (DE) of Georgia, Dave Ball (DE) of UCLA and Shaun Andrews (OL) of Arkansas. Harris was the only interior lineman to be named a finalist.