Senate honors 2011 Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne

2011 Jim Thorpe Award winner Morris Claiborne was honored on the floor of the state Senate on Tuesday. The Senate unanimously approved Senate Resolution 31 congratulating the cornerback from Louisiana State University.

As a junior, Claiborne recorded six interceptions and 173 interception return yards. His 274 career interception return yards ranks second in school history. He was a unanimous first-team All-American selection in 2011, and was selected as Defensive Player of the Year by Southeastern Conference coaches.
Sen. Cliff Aldridge, author of Senate Resolution 31, said Claiborne was an outstanding football player with a bright professional future.

“Morris Claiborne was simply one of college football’s brightest talents this year,” said Aldridge, R-Choctaw. “More importantly, he displayed exceptional leadership in helping guide his time to the BCS championship game. He has a very bright future ahead and I wish him the very best of luck in his professional career.”

Claiborne was a three-year letterman for the LSU Tigers. As a sophomore, Southeastern Conference coaches tabbed him for second-team all-conference honors.

“It’s a great privilege to be able to present this award to such a deserving recipient,” Aldridge said. “A tremendous level of commitment and work are required to play at such a high level. We are honored to have Morris Claiborne represent Oklahoma as the recipient of the 2011 Jim Thorpe Award.”