[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 116]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO LAMAR JACKSON

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, today I wish to offer my 
congratulations to an outstanding young man and athlete, the University 
of Louisville Cardinals' quarterback, Lamar Jackson. On December 10 of 
last year, Cards fans watched with excitement as Jackson was awarded 
the Heisman Memorial Trophy, the first in the history of my alma mater. 
The award is given to the most outstanding player in college football, 
and Jackson surely has earned it.
  We have known for quite some time that Lamar Jackson would be 
breaking many records. Here are just a few. Jackson was the first 
player in NCAA Division I history to pass for 3,300 yards and run for 
1,500 yards in one season. He holds the Atlantic Coastal Conference, 
ACC, record for most touchdowns in a single season with 51. Only a 
sophomore, Jackson is the youngest player ever to win the Heisman 
Trophy at 19 years old, and he is the University of Louisville's first 
ever Heisman Trophy finalist. The impressive list goes on and on.
  It is clear that Lamar Jackson is a truly spectacular athlete. He has 
earned his spot in the pantheon of college football greats. It is easy 
to cheer when the quarterback hurdles a defender to score or runs 
between some of the best defenses in the Nation. His drive and 
dedication are traits we all admire, and just wait until you hear where 
it all started.
  In an interview, Jackson said ``[e]verything I do, I do for my 
mother.'' At an early age, Jackson's mother, Felicia Jones, sparked his 
interest in football, and she pushed him to be his best ever since. 
When Lamar and his younger brother were just learning the game, their 
mom would put on pads in the backyard and run plays with them. She 
became an active part of all of his teams, all the way to the 
University of Louisville. He said, ``She would tell me the bad things I 
did. She wouldn't really tell me the good things I did. And I'd say 
`All right, Mom. I've got to go fix it.'''
  Lamar Jackson's story is just beginning. Under the guidance of some 
of the best coaches in all of college sports and an athletic director 
with a strategic vision for the future, the Cardinals are positioned to 
make a real impact in college football. With the Heisman Trophy already 
on the shelf, we can only wait and see what Lamar Jackson does next 
year. As an avid fan of UofL football, I know I can hardly wait.
  I would like to join with Cards fans across the Nation to 
congratulate the entire University of Louisville Cardinals football 
team and staff on an exciting season and especially congratulate the 
2016 Heisman Trophy winner, Lamar Jackson. He has truly made it great 
to be a Louisville Cardinal.

                          ____________________