By Pete Donovan –
Antoine Huffman’s University of Kentucky football team will not win the national championship this season. The Wildcats will likely not win a major bowl game, either. And Huffman isn’t a favorite to win All-American honors or be a finalist for the Heisman.
But make no mistake about it, Antoine Huffman is a winner. One of the biggest in all of college football, as a matter of fact.
“He represents everything you want in a college student,” says Kentucky President Lee T. Todd Jr.
“He is concerned with what goes on with the University of Kentucky, but he also has the ability to look into the community and our world and make a difference,” says Wildcat Athletic Director Mitch Barnhart. “Very few people have that ability.”
A starting cornerback the last two seasons at Kentucky, Huffman has already earned his college degree, is an acknowledged leader on campus and volunteers tremendous amounts of time to various community projects, especially hospital visits.
It is that kind of character that has earned Huffman a spot on the 2005 Lott Trophy Watch List.
In its second year, The Lott Trophy honors the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. The student-athlete is judged on both his on-field performance and his off-field performance. The Lott Trophy is the first sports award based on personal character and is appropriately named after the legendary defensive back, Ronnie Lott. The award is presented by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation of Newport Beach. Ca. Last year’s winner was David Pollack, the All-American defensive end from Georgia.
The ultimate multi-tasker, Huffman’s plate is not only full, but he seemingly goes back for seconds and thirds.
He serves as President of the University Student-Athlete Advisory Council. He’s been Vice-President of the UK chapter of Athletes in Action. He’s the student-athlete representative on the Kentucky Athletics Board of Directors. He was selected to the Academic All-District IV team by the College Sports Information Directors of America. He’s been on the National Good Works Team as chosen by the American Football Coaches Association. He was named to the Frank Ham Society of Character by UK Athletics in 2003. He’s served as Chairman of “The Cats Cause” UK student-athlete outreach program.
All this while graduating with a 3.45 grade point average in telecommunications (he’s now working on his master’s) and practicing and starting for the Kentucky football team.
“With all the demands on the student-athletes today, it’s amazing the things Antoine has accomplished,” says Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks. “He has achieved success on the playing field and in the classroom and he represents the University of Kentucky in a first-class manner off the field.”
Huffman, who has started since early last season, has 22 career pass breakups to rank in the top 5 all-time on the Kentucky list. He has contributed 17 tackles so far this season, but the Wildcats have struggled to a 1-4 record.
“He is a conscientious scholar who appreciated the opportunity he has at the university,” says President Todd. “(He’s a) person who values public service, constantly giving back to the university; and a leader who not only realizes the importance of saying the right things, but doing the right things. Throw in the fact that me manages to excel in all these areas while playing a key role for a major Division I college football program and it is now wonder why Lexington and the University of Kentucky are better places because of Antoine Huffman.”
Huffman has been impressing people all along the way. His high school coach at Lovejoy High in Jonesboro, Ga. describes him as “a very intelligent, competitive young man who is conscientious and a perfectionist.”
He is seemingly committed to all of his passions, but it his love of giving to those in need that drives him the most.
“My mom and grandmother always told me, ‘You may not be the richest person or the smartest person or the best athlete, but you can always lend a helping hand,” says the 175-pound senior. “When I’m down, kids make me feel good. When they’re down, I make them feel good,” he says of his frequent hospital visits.
“They’re our fans and they’re our family. Without them, there wouldn’t be a UK. As long as God has given me the ability to walk and breathe I’m going to do this.”
The Lott Trophy is awarded to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year by The Pacific Club IMPACT Foundation of Newport Beach, Ca. The Awards Banquet will be held at The Pacific Club located in Newport Beach, Ca. on Dec. 11, 2005. More information can be found at
