The Paul Hornung Award

Louisville, Ky. – August 6, 2026 – The Louisville Sports Commission congratulates Owen Marecic, the inaugural recipient of the Paul Hornung Award, on his selection to the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2026.

Presented annually by the Louisville Sports Commission, the Paul Hornung Award honors the most versatile player in major college football. Marecic embodied that versatility during his standout 2010 season at Stanford, excelling on offense, defense and special teams while becoming the first recipient of the award named after Louisville native and football legend Paul Hornung.

“Owen Marecic set the standard for what the Paul Hornung Award represents,” said Greg Fante, president and CEO of the Louisville Sports Commission. “His ability to excel in multiple facets of the game made him a deserving inaugural recipient, and his accomplishments since leaving the football field demonstrate that true versatility extends far beyond athletics. We congratulate Owen on this well-deserved honor.”

Marecic’s signature collegiate performance came on Sept. 25, 2010, when he scored two touchdowns in a span of just 13 seconds during Stanford’s 37-14 victory at Notre Dame. He punched in a one-yard touchdown run as a fullback before intercepting a pass and returning it 20 yards for another score on the Fighting Irish’s ensuing possession.

That remarkable season also earned Marecic AFCA First Team All-America honors, first-team All-Pac-10 recognition, CSC Academic All-America Second Team honors and designation as the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete of the Year. He helped lead Stanford to two bowl appearances, including a victory in the 2011 Orange Bowl, before being selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Marecic’s versatility has continued well beyond his football career.

After retiring from the NFL, he returned to Stanford University to pursue a career in medicine. Now a member of the Stanford Medicine Department of Orthopaedic Surgery’s Class of 2026, Dr. Marecic has distinguished himself as both a physician and researcher. He has co-authored groundbreaking research published in Nature on bone healing and osteoporosis, presented his work at national conferences and will continue his medical training through a trauma surgery fellowship at Harborview Medical Center at the University of Washington.

“Owen’s story perfectly reflects the values of the Paul Hornung Award,” Fante said. “Versatility isn’t just about playing multiple positions—it’s about embracing challenges, pursuing excellence and making an impact in every endeavor. Owen has done exactly that, first as one of college football’s most versatile players and now as a physician advancing orthopaedic medicine.”

The Paul Hornung Award, now entering its 17th season, has recognized many of college football’s most dynamic athletes, including Travis Hunter, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and Odell Beckham Jr. The award continues to celebrate the nation’s most versatile player while honoring the legacy of Paul Hornung, whose own career was defined by excellence in every phase of the game.