Johnathan Gray receives U.S. Air Force National Football Player of the Year

ALEDO, Texas - The already crowded mantle of Johnathan Gray has room for one more award, one like no other.

Gray, a 5-foot-10, 202-pound running back from Aledo (TX), was presented with the 2011 U.S. Air Force National Player of the Year today in a ceremony held at the team's indoor practice facility.

The award marks the culmination of Gray's historic career, in which he earned both the MaxPreps National Sophomore of the Year and Junior of the Year awards, set the all-time national touchdown record (205), and won three state titles.

Often described as a team-centric player, Gray was quick to thank those around him for helping him achieve the individual award.

"It means a lot," Gray said. "My teammates helped get me here. My friends, my family, and most importantly, God. Without those things, I wouldn't be here."

For Gray, the entire experience of going down as one of the most decorated high school athletes in history has been surreal.

"This is what you dream of," he said. "I'm living a dream and I want to make something of it."

U.S. Air Force staff sergeant Adam Rudd was on hand with a trophy, plaque and patch to award to Gray, whose parents attended the ceremony.

According to Rudd, the excellence that Gray displayed mirrored that which the Air Force looks for in its recruits.

"To join the Air Force, you need to be top of the litter. We've upped our standards, and there are high standards for this award," he said. "That's what we look for in the Air Force. The top kids, the best of the best. The brightest."

Gray's humility stood out to Rudd, but teammates and coaches identified Gray's daily leadership as his most impressive attribute.

"He's the greatest leader ever," said teammate B.J. Munoz, a senior defensive tackle who played four seasons with Gray. "He does everything right on and off the field."

Dayne Davis, a senior linebacker, described the experience as "special."

"You don't get to be around a player like that very often. It's a once in a lifetime experience," he said.

Aledo head coach Tim Buchanan said that Gray's accomplishments on the field, which included 10,908 career yards, 1,232 career points and 51 career 100-yard games, often get highly publicized, while Gray's fine character gets overlooked.

Buchanan said that in his 30 years of coaching, Gray is unique.

"I've never been around one that has the skill that he does, the work ethic that he does, the leadership that he does, the academic standing that he does," he said. "He's everything you ask for as a coach.

"If you sat down and said a prayer at night asking for a football player to come play on your team, Johnathan Gray would be that guy."

With his legendary high school career having drawn to a close, Gray is excited for the next chapter of both his life and his football career.

Gray will sign with the University of Texas on February 1, a school he committed to verbally last spring.

"I can't wait to be down there at UT," he said.

Undoubtedly, when Gray heads to Austin, the 2011 U.S. Air Force National Football Player of the Year will be missed around the hallways and sidelines of Aledo High School.