"Mercury" Morris to Speak at the 2003 Lou Groza Award Banquet on December 9th

Former Miami Dolphins star and three-time NFL Pro Bowler Eugene "Mercury" Morris has agreed to serve as the guest speaker at the 12th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet, to be held on December 9, 2003, in Palm Beach Gardens, FL.

Mercury is one of the most sought after motivational speakers in the country. Mercury offers both information and understanding to the question "Why do we do the things we do?" and has been seen on television shows such as Nightline, The Today Show, CNN, The Larry King Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, the Oprah Winfrey Show and countless other talk shows.

Today Mercury Morris speaks about the importance of making the right choices. His goal is to make a difference in the lives of others, and he is doing just that. Mercury is a single father raising two teenage sons and loves his job.

The Groza Award, named for NFL Hall-of-Fame Kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza, is presented annually to the top place-kicker in NCAA Division-I football. All Division I-A kickers are eligible for consideration for the Award. Voters for the award include Division I-A head coaches, sports writers and sportscasters, conference representatives, professional kickers, and previous Groza Award finalists. The 20 semi-finalists for the Lou Groza Award will be announced November 3, followed two weeks later by the naming of the three Award finalists on November 17.

About "Mercury" Morris:
In 1969, the Miami Dolphins drafted Mercury Morris in the third round. He started out as a kick return specialist and on this first attempt, against Cincinnati he returned the kick 105 yards for a touch down, which was the second longest in NFL history. In 1972 - 73, Mercury played on back-to-back world championship teams. His best two seasons as a pro were also the best two seasons enjoyed by the Miami Dolphins, as well as any club in the NFL history, amassing 32 wins in 34 games including a 1972 "17-0" perfect season. This feat has yet to be equaled.

Mercury Morris became the most feared man in the backfield, capable of scoring at any time and from anywhere on the field. He rushed for a thousand yards in 1972 and he, along with teammate, Larry Csonka, earned a spot in the pro football's Hall of Fame record books for becoming the first backs to gain 1000 yards in the backfield in a 14 game season.

In 1976, due to injuries, Mercury decided to retire from the game. Mercury was selected to three Pro Bowls during the '70's. Mercury currently holds the Dolphin record for the longest Kick return (105 yds). Mercury is in the NFL record book's and is one of only three players in the history of the game to average over 5 yards per carry rushing average, behind Jim Brown and in front of Gayle Sayers.

The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Banquet will be held at the Palm Beach Gardens Marriott in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

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