We have reached the finish line of the college football regular season, which means it’s awards time. The Heisman trophy is the single most coveted individual award in the sport, but a Longhorn was given an award that holds its own unique importance. Michael Taaffe, the star Longhorn safety and All-American, has been awarded the 2025 Wuerffel Trophy.
The Wuerffel Trophy is very different from the majority of awards given out this weekend. While the Heisman, Doak Walker and more represent a player’s ability on the field, the Wuerffel is about their impact off of it.
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Taaffe has earned the Wuerffel Trophy this year, in large part, because of his work in fentanyl awareness. That pursuit started following the tragic passing of Jake Ehlinger, Sam Ehlinger’s younger brother and Taaffe’s close friend, from fentanyl poisoning. On top of that, Taaffe raised over $100,000 following the flooding in Central Texas.
Taaffe joins Sam Acho, who won in 2010, as the second Longhorn to take home this award. Taaffe has consistently been a leader on and off the field over the past three years for the Longhorns, and his leadership goes well beyond the facility walls.
In the world of sports, it’s not often the efforts off the field are celebrated to the degree they should be. The Wuerffel Trophy is a unique honor, one that holds an incredible amount of weight in the college football world. I believe I speak for all Longhorn fans when I say Michael Taaffe has been an incredible example off the field his entire Texas career, and this is an incredible way to finish off an illustrious career.
The Texas program has been lucky enough to have not only special players, but special people come through. Taaffe joins a special club, with the likes of Tim Tebow, Sam Acho and Drue Tranquill. It’s a special group to join and it’s an honor that is likely to get prime position in Taaffe’s (rather full) trophy case.
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This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Michael Taaffe wins Wuerffel Trophy for his impact off-the-field
