| Year | Winner [1] [2] | Contribution |
|---|
| 2023 | Steve Hatchell | President and CEO of National Football Foundation |
| 2022 | Roman Oben | Former NFL OL, NFL VP of Football Operations |
| 2021 | Ray Didinger | NBC Sports Philadelphia |
| 2019 | Troy Vincent | Former NFL Quarterback, EVP of Football Operations |
| 2018 | Ron Jaworski | Former NFL Quarterback, NFL analyst on ESPN |
| 2017 | Bobby Bowden | Florida State University |
| 2016 | Steve Spurrier | University South Carolina |
| 2015 | Joe Browne | NFL Executive Vice President |
| 2014 | Lou Holtz | Former College Coach/ESPN |
| 2013 | Dick Vermeil | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2012 | Ozzie Newsome | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2011 | Archie Manning | National Football Foundation (NFF) Chairman |
| 2010 | George Bodenheimer | ESPN |
| 2009 | Robert T. Clark | Former Executive director of the Maxwell Football Club |
| 2008 | Steve Sabol | President of NFL Films |
| 2007 | Ralph Wilson | Owner and president of the NFL's Buffalo Bills |
| 2006 | Ernie Accorsi | Former GM of the NY Giants |
| 2005 | Darrell Royal | Former Head Coach University of Texas |
| 2004 | Vince Dooley | Former University of Georgia head coach |
| 2003 | Art McNally | Head of NFL officials |
| 2002 | Pat Summerall | Broadcaster |
| 2001 | Chris Berman | Host of ESPN's NFL Prime Time |
| 2000 | Don Shula | Former Miami Dolphins head coach |
| 1999 | Joe Paterno | Pennsylvania State University |
| 1998 | Dan Rooney | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1997 | Carl Peterson | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1996 | Jerry Richardson | Carolina Panthers |
| 1995 | Otho Davis | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1994 | Ed Sabol | NFL Films |
| 1993 | Don Ohlmeyer | NBC-TV |
| 1992 | Lamar Hunt | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 1991 | William Manlove | Widener University |
| 1990 | Eddie Robinson | Grambling University |
| 1989 | Pete Rozelle | NFL Commissioner |
