Artis Named 2019 Heavy Hitter of the Year - Lenoir Rhyne College Athletics

Football 10/5/2020 11:57:00 AM

HICKORY, N.C. – John Moretz, owner of Southside Power and Fitness and Sponsor of the Championship Series, has announced that Jaquan Artis has been named the 2019 Ronnie Lott Heavy Hitter of the Year Award.

Ronnie Lott's Heavy Hitter of the Year honors LR Football's best in character and performance. The award was established in 2002 by LR alumni John '72 and Marilyn '73 Moretz and is sponsored by Southside Power & Fitness in honor of Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee Ronnie Lott.

The Ronnie Lott Heavy Hitters Club was modeled on the Lott IMPACT Trophy which honors Division I college football's best in character and performance.

Ronnie Lott was a two-time All-American for USC and is a College Football Hall of Fame Inductee. He went on to win four Super Bowl rings with the San Francisco 49ers and made 10 trips to the Pro Bowl. Lott also garnered a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
"The award is inspired by Ronnie Lott who is not only a heavy hitter on the field but in the community as well," said John Moretz. "Ronnie has raised millions of dollars in the Bay Area to help underprivileged children get an education."

In addition to a yearly Heavy Hitter of the Year award, LR Football gives out a Heavy Hitter of the Week award after each game throughout the season. Each week, Southside Power & Fitness awards $500 to Habitat for Humanity. Since its inception, over $120,000 has been raised for Habitat for Humanity.

Artis was the National Defensive Player of the Year and was the only defensive player to be a finalist for the Harlon Hill Award. He finished the season with 82 total tacks, 23 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. Artis concluded his career as the all-time leader in sacks at Lenoir-Rhyne with 29.

PREVIOUS HEAVY HITTER OF THE YEAR WINNERS

2002- Jameil Surratt
2003 – Branden Smith
2004 – Gerren Brittian
2005 – Chima Okoro
2006 – Alvin Gibson
2007 – Marcus Shuford
2008 – Marcus Shuford
2009 – Marcus Shuford
2010 – Carl Brooks
2011 – Jasper Thomas
2012 – Chris Carter
2013 – Myer Nolan
2014 – O'Neil Blake
2015 – Chris Shaffer
2016 – Rodney Singleton
2017 – Kyle Dugger
2018 – Eric Jackson
2019 – Jaquan Artis