The Dave Rimington Trophy is one of college football's newest annual awards, given each year since 1999 to college football's outstanding center. It is hosted by the Boomer Esiason Foundation for research and treatment of cystic fibrosis. Brett Romberg became the first University of Miami player to win the coveted award in 2002. The trophy is named for former Nebraska center Dave Rimington, who was a first-team All-America center in 1981 and 1982 and was the only player to win the John Outland Trophy in both seasons as college football's outstanding interior lineman. The winner of the Rimington Trophy is determined by voting for the Associated Press first-team All-America Team.
Brett Romberg, 2002
From the beginning of his Miami career, Brett Romberg always earned attention for being different. He was never shy to share an opinion and became a media favorite because of his quick wit and his willingness to talk about anything.
Romberg had many distinguishing characteristics as a Hurricane: his Canadian heritage (he's a native of Windsor, Ontario), his budding musical career (he formed two rock bands while at UM), and his outrageous personality.
But Romberg was more than just a good quote. He was an outstanding football player with above average intelligence (he earned his undergraduate degree in business in less than four years and a graduate degree in sports administration as his UM career was coming to a close), a desire to excel and a willingness to do whatever it took to get the job done. It was no coincidence that Miami's 34-game winning streak from 2000 to 2002 took place with Romberg at center.
Romberg had the versatility to play effectively at guard or tackle, but settled in as the center for his sophomore season in 2000. Considered by pro scouts "too squatty", Romberg was never one to fit anyone's mold. Either on the field, or off it. An accomplished singer and musician, Romberg always loved being the center of attention. His reputation always preceded his arrival.
"If I walk into a room, people are waiting for me to say something or do something funny," Romberg said. "Or something stupid or to defy something or cause a scene. People are always looking for me to do that."
He rarely let his audience down - either in a room or on the field.
Strength, dependability, leadership and intelligence. All were trademarks of Romberg throughout his Miami career. But toughness may have been the most vital asset he displayed. He sustained a compound fracture on the thumb of his right snapping hand during the 2000 game against Louisiana Tech. The injury caused the bone to break through the skin. Romberg had the injury taped up and continued playing. He did not miss a single snap the rest of the season.
"You couldn't hurt Romberg with an ax," said head coach Larry Coker. "I don't know that I've coached a tougher player."
With Romberg at center, the Hurricanes won 35 of 37 games, one National Championship, three BIG EAST Conference championships, a Sugar Bowl and a Rose Bowl. All with Romberg calling the blocking signals for the offensive line.
Romberg never allowed a quarterback sack at center and led an offensive line that helped produce three 1,000-yard rushers (James Jackson, Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee), a quarterback (Ken Dorsey) who set every major UM career passing record and an offense that averaged more than 465 yards per game for the balance of his three years as the starting center.
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