**  John "Bull" Bramlett Award  **
presented by
 ServiceMASTER® Clean

Gray Martin of Briarcrest Christian School

Receives 2011 John “Bull” Bramlett Award

Gray Martin of Briarcrest Christian School was the recipient of the 2011 John “Bull” Bramlett Award presented by ServiceMaster Clean.  The award is given annually by the Memphis Area FCA to the high school football player in the Shelby County area who best exemplifies excellence on the field, as well as high character, integrity and godliness off the field.  The award was presented at the FCA / AutoZone Liberty Bowl Prayer Breakfast at the Hilton Memphis, which was attended by over 700 people and featured former University of Tennessee and Dallas Cowboy standout Bill Bates.

The other award finalists were seniors Denver Hall of First Assembly Christian School, Weston Locastro of Rossville Christian Academy and Andrew Mitchell of Hamilton High School. Each of the football standouts were highly recommended by their coaches and were very active in serving their church, school and community. 

Martin, the son of Brian and Stephanie Martin, was a senior defensive end for the Saints, registering 57 tackles, including 8.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for lost yardage.  He teaches 3^rd and 4^th grade Sunday School at Grace Evangelical Church, where he also serves on the high school leadership team. A National Merit semifinalist, he is a member of several honor societies and has served as Class President in both his junior and senior years. He also plays varsity baseball and runs track.  He has participated in numerous school and community service projects, including tutoring disadvantaged youth twice a month.  Said Coach Major Wright: ”Gray is one of the most intense student athletes I have ever coached.  His passion to succeed drives him in everything he does and his effort level is unparalleled.”

John “Bull” Bramlett was an all-pro NFL linebacker after a distinguished playing career at the University of Memphis (then Memphis State). He is currently a renowned speaker who travels the country addressing groups about the dramatic turnaround in his life after his encounter with the gospel.  Past Bramlett Award winners include Ryan Heaston of Cordova High School in 2010, Dane Wilson of First Assembly Christian School (FACS) in 2009, Andrew Brimhall of FACS in 2008, Tyler King of Cordova High in 2007, Douglas Carlock of Central High in 2006, Douglas Williams of Fairley High in 2005 and Hall Simmons of Evangelical Christian School in 2004.

Gray Martin with "Bull" Bramlett