Prothro, Alexander Honored at 2006 ESPY Awards
7/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Alabama wide receiver Tyrone Prothro was named winner of the 2006 ESPY Award for Best Play Wednesday night at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. Also, former Crimson Tide running back Shaun Alexander earned an ESPY for Best Record Breaking Performance.
Prothro earned the honor for his spectacular catch to key a comeback victory over Southern Mississippi on September 10 in Tuscaloosa. With the Crimson Tide trailing, 21-10, late in the second quarter and facing a fourth-and-12 situation, Prothro caught the Brodie Croyle pass over the head and on the back of a USM defender for a 42-yard gain. The play put the Tide on the USM one-yard line and set up an Alabama touchdown, trimming the deficit to 21-17 and setting the Tide on their way to an eventual 30-21 victory. Prothro, whose season was cut short by a broken leg suffered three weeks later against Florida, finished the USM game with 279 all-purpose yards including 134 yards receiving on seven catches.
Playing in only five games in 2005, Prothro made 17 catches for 325 yards (19.1-yard average) and three touchdowns. He also averaged 27.6 yards per kickoff return (seven for 193 yards) while averaging 138.2 all-purpose yards per game.
The ESPY Awards presented by ESPN are held annually to honor the year's best sports moments and athletes. The cable network said a record 12.1 million votes were tabulated, with fans voting online to decide the winners for the third consecutive year. The show can be seen Sunday night on ESPN beginning at 8 p.m. Central time.
