Johnny Rodgers believes it's time return specialists in college football get their due. Best known for his electrifying kick returns as the 1972 Heisman Trophy winner at Nebraska, Rodgers on Tuesday announced a new postseason award for the top kick or punt return man in college football. Rodgers said the Johnny "The Jet" Rodgers Award should gain the prestige of awards such as the Butkus for linebackers, the Jim Thorpe for defensive backs or the Outland for linemen. "If you're walking by a store or anywhere they have televisions and they have highlights on for special teams, everybody stops and watches," he said. "This has the ability to create a lot of awareness for guys who haven't gained recognition throughout college football." The trophy was designed and cast by Omaha artist Joe Putjenter and depicts Rodgers slipping out of the grasp of Oklahoma's Greg Pruitt on the 72-yard punt return that was the signature play of Nebraska's victory in the 1971 "Game of the Century." Read more: http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7744488/top-return-man-honored-rodgers-award
