The Heisman Trophy Trust has named College and Pro Football Hall of Famer and Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Alan Page (Retired) as the eleventh Heisman Humanitarian Award Winner.

This award will be given in recognition of Page’s tireless efforts in assisting students of color achieve their dreams in furthering their education.

Hailing from Canton, Ohio, Page was a defensive force that proved himself as a brilliant, aggressive defender throughout his career. Page attended the University of Notre Dame and helped lead the Irish to a National Championship during the 1966 season. After graduation, the All-American was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings. Page played for an impressive 15 seasons in the NFL and played in an astounding 236 games with both the Vikings and the Bears. Page was a member of the Vikings famed Purple People Eaters. 

Never one to slow down, Page also received his Law Degree from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1978, while still playing for the Vikings. Shortly after leaving the NFL, Page was working as an attorney in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office. It was during this time that Page decided he wanted help out his community even more.   

During his 1988 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech, Page and his wife Diane launched the Page Education Foundation, a foundation built upon the need to give financial assistance and encouragement to students of color facing extraordinary odds while trying to achieve their dreams.  

Page was elected to the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1992, becoming the first African American to hold a seat. Page was reelected three times and stepped down due to the mandatory retirement age of 70. Page is far from done impacting the community as his foundation has provided $13 million in Page Grants and his Page Scholars have volunteered over 420,000 hours to date.