LAKE BLUFF, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--John Shannon of Notre Dame was named the top collegiate Long Snapper in the nation Saturday evening at the Patrick Mannelly Award dinner, presented by William Blair, benefiting Bernie’s Book Bank.
This award, named after former Chicago Bears long snapper Patrick Mannelly, is given to the best FBS senior Long Snapper based on snap speed, accuracy, consistency, mental approach, athleticism, size and coverage skills. The selection committee consisted of NFL coaches, former snappers, punters, kickers and journalists.
“Long Snappers are behind the scenes and rarely receive acknowledgment for their hard work,” Mannelly shared.” This recognition is long overdue, and John Shannon is an excellent pick by the selection committee as the first winner of the award.”
Shannon, a three-year starter from Lake Forest, Illinois, is an economics major in the College of Arts and Letters at University of Notre Dame. The 6’2’’ senior has handled every snap for the last three seasons. He was widely considered the top snapping prospect in the 2015 recruiting class and helped Loyola Academy to a state title his senior season. Shannon is a third-generation Notre Dame football player; his father Gerard and grandfather Dan played for the Fighting Irish during their college years.
Shannon expressed his gratitude for recognition as the top Long Snapper alongside award finalists Liam McCullough of The Ohio State University and Steven Wirtel of Iowa State University.
“Both Liam and Steven would have been deserving recipients of this award,” Shannon acknowledged. “I can’t wait to see who wins it next year.”
The Patrick Mannelly Award was founded by Kevin Gold, Patrick Mannelly and Chris Rubio with the goal of providing rare recognition for the vital role that the Long Snappers play in football.
Mannelly is widely known as the best Long Snapper in the modern NFL era. He was a four-year starter at Long Snapper and two-year starter on the offensive line at Duke University before being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1998. Mannelly is the longest tenured Chicago Bear after playing 16 seasons and a recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.
The Patrick Mannelly Award benefits Bernie’s Book Bank, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing book ownership among under-served children throughout Chicagoland.
For more information about the Patrick Mannelly Award, visit www.patrickmannellyaward.com
For more information about Bernie’s Book Bank, visit www.berniesbookbank.org
