The Maxwell Football Club (originally called the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia) was established in 1935 to promote safety in the game of American football. Named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, legendary college player, official, and sports columnist, the club was founded by his friend Bert Bell, then owner of the Philadelphia Eagles professional football team and later commissioner of the National Football League (NFL) along with Edwin Pollock. The awards are presented during the spring of the following year.[1]
As of 2017, the club's president is Mark Dianno, and the club's Chairman is former NFL defensive back Shawn Wooden. The club's headquarters are located in Ambler, Pennsylvania.
Awards
The club presents several awards annually to professional, college, and high-school football players, coaches, and others, including:
- Maxwell Award for College Player of the Year, first awarded in 1937
- Chuck Bednarik Award for College Defensive Player of the Year, instituted in 1995
- George Munger Award for College Coach of the Year, introduced in 1989
- Bert Bell Award for Professional Player of the Year, established following Bell's death in 1959
- Jim Henry Award for Area High-School Student-Athlete Football Player of the Year, instituted in 1986[2]
- New Jersey High School Player of the Year[2]
- Pennsylvania High School Player of the Year[2][3]
- Delaware High School Player of the Year
- Earle "Greasy" Neale Award for Professional Coach of the Year, introduced in 1989
- Reds Bagnell Award for Contributions to the Game of Football, introduced in 1989
- Brian Westbrook Tri-State Player of the Year Award, first presented in 2001
- Tri-State Coach of the Year Award, established in 1998
- Tropicana Legends Award, established in 2003
- The Thomas Brookshier Spirit Award
- National High School Player Award, presented by adidas to the best high school football player in the United States, first awarded in 2007
- Steinberg-DeNicloa Humanitarian Award – Presented for philanthropic effort in the community
