The Black Death Award is an individual honor awarded to

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

players at the

United States Military Academy The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort, since it sits on strategic high groun ...

(better known as 'West Point') who distinguish themselves during a game. It is presented to players only in the case of "exceptional, near perfect play."Collin Mooney honored with coveted Black Death Award
, Go Army Sports.com, 6 October 2008. The award was first instituted by Army coach

Jim Young James Norman Young (born June 6, 1943) is a former professional American football and Canadian football player. Young played running back and wide receiver for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings for two seasons (1965–66), and the CFL's BC Lions f ...

in 1988. In 2007,

Stan Brock Stanley James Brock (born June 8, 1958) is a former American football player and coach. He played as a tackle at the University of Colorado at Boulder and in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers. B ...

, as the new head coach, reinstated the award. The award itself consists of a plaque featuring an Army Ranger-style knife and engraved with the honoree's name.A Strong Rush
Go Army Sports.com, 25 October 2008. According to Brock, it is given to players who go "above and beyond" and play "a near perfect game and have something to do with the outcome of the game for a victory."Stan Brock Press Conference
Go Army Sports.com, 7 October 2008.

Recent honorees

Sources: Scappaticci Earns Prized Black Death Award
Go Army Sports.com, 27 October 2008.

References

College football awards Army Black Knights football Awards established in 1988 1988 establishments in New York (state) {{NewYork-sport-stub