Following the 2017 college football season, the first-ever Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year award will be handed out, named after the former Tennessee tight end and current Dallas Cowboys star.

The award will honor the college player who “has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field,” much like Witten has throughout his career.

In a release on DallasCowboys.com, Witten said he’s thrilled to be associated with this award:

“I am proud to be associated with the Collegiate Man of the Year,” said Witten. “It is my hope that this honor will encourage and inspire the next generation of student-athletes to not only perform at a high level on the field, but to use the platform to make a positive impact on campus and in the community.”

Philip Fulmer, who coached Witten at Tennessee, said he can’t imagine a better player to name such an award after:

“Jason Witten is the perfect man, player, leader, and role model to have his name on this award,” said Fulmer. “Jason has achieved, overcome, worked, and led at the highest level of collegiate and professional football; all the while maintaining his integrity, passion, compassion, and character as a husband, father, and community leader. I am proud of Jason as he continues to represent UT, The Dallas Cowboys, and all that is good in sports on a daily basis.”

The award will be announced in December and the recipient will be honored at a banquet in February in Frisco, Texas, at the Cowboys’ new practice facility.