New York, NY (December 4, 2001)

Graham received the nod over two other finalists, Oklahoma's Trent Smith and Miami's Jeremy Shockey. In being named Colorado's MVP by his teammates, Graham caught 51 passes for 753 yards and six touchdowns while also clearing the way for many gains in the running game, as he had 101 domination and 128 downfield blocks.

"It was a competitive race, and there are lot of great tight ends in the country," Graham said. "I take a lot of pride (in blocking), and I'm sure that had to play a role in my winning this award. I'm just happy now that I've achieved all the goals that I set, and I set them as high as I could. Those were to be All-Big 12, All-American and the Mackey winner. "It's been a long wait. I wasn't trying to think about it (on the plane to New York), I just wanted to come here and enjoy myself."

Graham and fellow teammate Andre Gurode were named Tuesday as first-team Associated Press All-Americans, arguably the most prominent and prestigious team. "The success of the team has helped me with the awards that I've won, no doubt about it," Graham said. "Dan has proven himself to be a truly great football player," CU head coach Gary Barnett said. "Not only did he excel at running routes and catching passes, but he's a terrific blocker. His style of play, his relentlessness and being the complete package at tight end is a tribute to John Mackey."

The John Mackey Award, created in April 2000 by the NCSC, was spearheaded by NCSC Board Member and former NFL quarterback, and Syracuse University All-American, Donald McPherson. John Mackey, only the second strictly tight end to be inducted into the National Football League Hall of Fame, is regarded as one of the all-time greats to ever have played that position. A graduate Syracuse University, Mackey played in the NFL for 10 years. He was elected to the Pro Bowl five times, was a three-time All-NFL Player and played in two Super Bowls with the Baltimore Colts. He has been called the best tight end in NFL history and is in the NFL Hall of Fame. His outstanding athletic and community oriented accomplishments could not go unrecognized in his hometown of Nassau County, New York.

The John Mackey Award Selection Committee includes the following NFL greats, Mark Bavaro, Keith Jackson, and Kellen Winslow as well as prominent members of the media, Lee Corso, Sean McDonough, Spencer Tillman, and Marc Connolly.

The John Mackey Award bronze piece, was created by sculptor Edith Rae Brown.