LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The College Football Awards Show might have been dominated by the players, but Arkansas athletic director Frank Broyles didn't go home empty-handed Thursday night.

Broyles was recognized for his contributions to college football during the two-hour show and received an award for a lifetime of achievement and integrity. Broyles has been awarded, recognized and honored throughout his tenure as Arkansas as both a coach and athletic director, but said Thursday's award carried plenty of weight because it was for his hard work in college athletics.

"I was taught all my life rewards in life are in direct proportion to your contribution," Broyles said. "One thing that I tried to do as an assistant football coach and head football coach was contribute to all the things that I'm involved with such as the university, the athletic department, the players, the families.

"That's been my goal all the way through my career."

A video tribute to Broyles was shown during the awards ceremony, documenting his career with the Razorbacks. He was introduced by Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who played for Broyles. Former president Bill Clinton also delivered a video message.

Broyles, who has been the central figure of Arkansas' athletic director for the past 50 years, will retired on December 31.

Jones called him "an inspiration" because of the things he has accomplished for the Razorbacks in "the fourth quarter" of life.

"Since he's been 65 years old, his energy has created a quarter of a billion dollars in improvement to the University of Arkansas athletic department," Jones said. "He showed all of us what he used to tell us on the football field: Anybody can play when they're feeling good, anybody can play when you're fresh. We all know when you get in the fourth quarter that you don't feel as good."

Broyles credited legendary coach Georgia Tech coach Bobby Dodd for instilling that mentality in him. Broyles played quarterback at Georgia Tech when Dodd was an assistant coach. He later became an assistant on Dodd's staff at Georgia Tech.

"He told me the values of what we could do with young people and the rewards that we get from seeing these young people be successful," said Broyles, who jogged up to the stage to receive the award. "That's been my goal. To be honored for this reason has a special, special place in my heart."

Taking it Home

Center Jonathan Luigs doesn't know how the Rimington Trophy is getting back to Arkansas. But when it does, Luigs knows where it's going -- in his parent's living room.

The Little Rock native found out he won the award earlier in the day and got his picture taken with the trophy. His parents couldn't join him in Orlando for the event, but he said they were thrilled when he called home before the show to fill them in on the news.

"It really hasn't sunk in yet," he said. "It's a tremendous honor, very humbling to receive it. I went and grabbed it (Thursday) and it just seems so surreal."

Behind the Scenes

Arkansas running back Felix Jones was named to the Walter Camp All-America team as a kick returner on Thursday. But, as usual, Jones took a quiet backseat to his more visible backfield mate, Darren McFadden, throughout the College Football Awards Show.

"That's how it is," Jones said. "Like I said from the beginning, I'm here to play football and have fun with it."

Like McFadden, Jones will consider declaring for the NFL Draft after the season. The junior said he hasn't thought about it yet, though.

"We've got so much going on right now," Jones said. "We have tests and finals. We've got the bowl game, things going on at school. There's a lot going on right now. ... A couple days after the bowl game I'll think about it.