Cherokee Bluff's Jacob Benjamin wasn't prepared to hear his name called as the next Atlanta Falcons High School Man of the Year.
He was actually preparing to congratulate whoever won the prestigious award given to the state's top high school football student-athlete.
Well, his speech was to the man in the mirror.
The Bluff All-State, All-Access offensive lineman was named the Atlanta Falcons High School Man of the Year Thursday night at the annual awards banquet.
"I had originally been preparing to congratulate whoever was the winner because I wouldn't really let myself believe that I could actually win," he said. "In the back of my mind, however, I kept thinking to myself, "What if?" When I heard my full name called, I remember breathing out in shock and my mind just being completely overwhelmed. I couldn't tell you what I was thinking or if I even knew where I was at that moment."
The award is modeled after the National Football League's Walker Payton Man of the Year award.
Besides his on-field performance, the selection criteria include character, community service, leadership, academics, excellence and well-roundedness.
"The short explanation would be a player that has a significant and positive impact on his community," Bluff football coach Tommy Jones said.
Jones also said Benjamin was an "obvious" selection for the award.
"He literally possesses each of these intangible characteristics," Jones said. "He is extremely gifted, driven and humble. In addition, he is committed to a standard of excellence in everything that he does. Without a doubt, a great ambassador for Cherokee Bluff High School."
Benjamin said the award is "probably the greatest honor" he's ever received.
"I still am in shock about how amazing it has been to be able even to have the opportunity to be there, let alone to win," Benjamin said. "I am blessed beyond imagination to have this honor given to me."
As for the selection process, it's pretty simple: high school coaches around the state nominate their players. After that, it's up to the Atlanta Falcons selection committee.
Benjamin said he had no clue he had even been nominated for the award.
"The selection was done by a panel of judges in secret from me," he said. "Coaches from throughout Georgia had the chance to send in a player from their teams in order to be looked at for the award, and I was lucky enough to be the one chosen."
The award is the cherry on top of a successful high school football career at Cherokee Bluff.
Benjamin was part of the first-ever club at Cherokee Bluff -- Hall County's youngest program. He helped the Bears win two straight Region 7-3A titles, back-to-back playoff berths, the program's first quarterfinal appearance, and the first undefeated regular season in 2021.
"As a freshman going into Cherokee Bluff, I had never imagined the impact that I would get to have," Benjamin said. "I always believed that I would do what it took to start, but I never imagined that I go as far as I was able to. I love the program at Cherokee Bluff, I love the culture the coaches have worked hard to instill, and I love being able to help and embody the core principles of the program as much as I can. The culture raised me just as much as I contributed to it, and I'm sure many more like me will be able to come from it."
He credited Jones as a big part of his development.
"From the first meeting I went to in 8th grade, I had been bought into coach Jones and his message," he said. "I believe that throughout my high school career, I could have never asked for a better head coach. He is a God-fearing man and knows how to win games. But even past that, he knows how to win over people, and I've been blessed to play on his team."
Benjamin will take the next step in his career. He's headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point to play football after graduation from Cherokee Bluff.
As you would expect, he's already set his future goals.
"As far as my goals in the future go, I have had a great foundation in my youth, and I am excited to continue on my journey in college and in my career endeavors," he said. "My main goal is to put myself in a position where I can influence the lives of others in the best way possible. Wherever God takes me is where I want to be, and I have my full trust in him."
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/4/1178455/football-bluffs-jacob-benjamin-named-atlanta-falcons-hs-man-of-the-year