Big Ten Announces Humanitarian and Leadership Awards
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Nebraska’s Will Shields was selected as this year’s recipient of the Big Ten’s Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award, while Iowa’s Jack Campbell received the Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award, the conference announced on Tuesday. These awards recognize Big Ten football student-athletes who have achieved success in the areas of humanitarianism and leadership following their academic and athletic careers at a Big Ten university.
Shields was an offensive lineman for Nebraska from 1989-92, leading the Huskers to consecutive conference titles in 1991 and 1992. A member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame, Shields was a 1991 All-American selection, a three-time First-Team All-Conference selection from 1990-92 and was named the 1992 Outland Trophy winner. Shields went on to spend 14 years with the Kansas City Chiefs, a career that included seven All-Pro selections. His efforts off the field earned him the 2003 NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year award.
Shields and his wife, Senia, are the founders of the Will to Success Foundation, which facilitates programs and provides assistance and resources to individuals, families and other charitable organizations who have little to no access to other aid. The Foundation has helped over 100,000 individuals and has raised millions of dollars since its inception in 1993. The Shields’ take particular interest in mentoring the women and children who benefit most from their contributions.
Campbell was a linebacker for the Hawkeyes from 2019-22, leading Iowa to a Big Ten West Division Championship in 2021 and two bowl victories, including the 2019 Holiday Bowl and the 2022 Music City Bowl. A consensus All-American, two-time All-Big Ten selection and the Butkus Award winner as the top linebacker in the nation, Campbell finished his Hawkeye career with 305 tackles before being selected by the Detroit Lions in the 2023 NFL Draft. Campbell was the recipient of the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the nation’s top scholar-athlete.
Campbell has worked diligently in the Detroit community, participating in various community initiatives, including the Salute to Service Care Package Event, the Rookie Readiness Enrichment Program and the Adaptive Warrior Home Remodel project in partnership with the Stronger Warrior Foundation.
Campbell also spent time with Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (T.A.P.S) families during the Lions’ practice facility visits in 2023 and 2024, honoring the organization through his My Cause My Cleats campaign in 2024. T.A.P.S. offers care and resources to those who are grieving the loss of a military loved one.
At Iowa, Campbell volunteered at the Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the Football Legacy Weekend Kids Camp, the Community Crisis Services Food Bank and the Iowa Football Blood Drive, accumulating over 70 hours of community service as a Hawkeye.
The Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian and Ford-Kinnick Leadership Awards are part of the Big Ten’s annual awards program. The Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award is named for Minnesota’s Tony Dungy and Indiana’s Anthony Thompson. The Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award is named for Michigan’s Gerald Ford and Iowa’s Nile Kinnick. For more information on these awards, including biographical information on the namesakes, visit bigten.org.
Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award Recipients:
2011: George Taliaferro, IND
2012: Chris Spielman, OSU
2013: Drew Brees, PUR
2014: Brian Griese, MICH
2015: John Shinsky, MSU
2016: Trent Green, IND
2017: Chad Greenway, IOWA
2018: Jake Wood, WIS
2019: J.J. Watt, WIS
2020: Vincent Smith, MICH
2021: Malcolm Jenkins, OSU
2022: Nate Sudfeld, IND
2023: Dick Butkus, ILL
2024: Madieu Williams, MD
2025: Will Shields, NEB
Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award Recipients:
2011: Archie Griffin, OSU
2012: Jon Runyan, MICH
2013: Gene Washington, MSU
2014: Mike Hopkins, ILL
2015: Brian Griese, MICH
2016: Reggie McKenzie, MICH
2017: Troy Vincent, WIS
2018: Antwaan Randle El, IND
2019: Doug Schlereth, IND
2020: Napoleon Harris, NU
2021: Pat Richter, WIS
2022: Ron Guenther, ILL
2023: Richard Coachys, IND
2024: Russell Wilson, WIS
2025: Jack Campbell, IOWA