Ex-Georgia Tech WR Waller a finalist for Halas Award

Oakland Raiders tight end Darren Waller, who played at North Cobb High and Georgia Tech, was named a finalist for the George Halas Award by the Pro Football Writers of America on Tuesday. The Halas award is given to an NFL player, coach or staff member who overcomes the most adversity to succeed.

Waller once had such a strong addiction to drugs that he said he wouldn’t have been surprised if he failed 100 NFL drug tests. Twice suspended for violations of the league substance-abuse policy, Waller emerged from rehab as a new man.

The Raiders signed him from the Ravens’ practice squad in 2018, and he had a breakout season in 2019, with 90 catches for 1,145 receiving yards. Thumb surgery kept him from being named to the Pro Bowl as a replacement for Travis Kelce.

Other finalists for the Halas Award include Ravens tight ends coach Bobby Engram, former Cowboys center Travis Frederick, Vikings defensive end Everson Griffen and former Chargers tackle Russell Okung, who was traded to Carolina.

Engram’s daughter, Bobbi, died at the age of 20 in 2018 from complications of sickle cell disease. Despite his grief, Engram has guided the Ravens tight ends to excellent production. A wide receiver in the league for 14 years, Engram helped institute the Bobbi Engram Foundation, which funds sickle cell research.

Frederick (who retired in March) was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disease that attacks the nervous system, and sat out the 2018 season. He came back in 2019 and was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl.

Griffen came back strong in 2019 with eight sacks following a difficult period. A 2018 police report said Griffen was acting erratically, and he subsequently underwent a mental health evaluation. His behavior was attributed to emotional distress stemming from a lifetime of painful experiences. Griffen lived in a sober house for three months and missed five games in the 2018 season.

Last June, Okung suffered a pulmonary embolism because of a blood clot in his left leg and lungs. Given what he calls a second chance in life, Okung returned to the field in late October.

Ex-Falcons assistant named award finalist

Former Falcons running backs coach Bobby Turner, who was with the team from 2015-16, is a finalist for the Paul “Dr. Z” Zimmerman Award for lifetime achievement as an NFL assistant coach, chosen by the Pro Football Writers of America. Turner is set to enter his 25th season as a NFL assistant in 2020, and his fourth as San Francisco’s running backs coach.

With the Falcons, Turner helped Devonta Freeman amass 1,634 yards (combined rushing/receiving) in 2015 and 1,541 yards in 2016, his most productive seasons in the NFL. Turner is responsible for overseeing three of the top nine rookie rushing seasons in the NFL since 1970, with Alfred Morris, Clinton Portis and Mike Anderson. He’s also served as a running backs coach with Washington (2010-14) and Denver (1995-2009).

Two award winners will be selected from a group of nominees that also includes Floyd Peters, Bill Arnsparger, Buddy Ryan, Romeo Crennel, Dick Hoak, Rod Marinelli and Bobb McKittrick.