Honored as the 1998 "Penguin of the Year," Ron Jaworski returned
to Youngstown State University, a place where the ground work was
laid for what has turned out to be an outstanding professional
career both on and off the field.
The former Super Bowl quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles,
returned to Youngstown after to be honored in 1998.
Following an outstanding career at Youngstown State University,
which included impressive performances in the Senior Bowl and the
Ohio Shrine Bowl games, Jaworski became a second round draft choice
of the Los Angeles Rams in 1973.
After spending four years with the Rams, the rights to Jaworski
were traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in March 1977. Under Coach
Dick Vermeil and behind Jaworski's very strong arm and enthusiastic
field leadership, the Eagles advanced to the NFC playoffs in 1978
and 1979. In 1980, "Jaws" led the Eagles to a 12-4 record, the NFC
Championship and their first-ever berth in a Super Bowl (Super Bowl
XV vs. the Oakland Raiders).
Jaworski finished the 1980 season as the No. 1 rated passer in
the NFC. In recognition of his brilliant 1980 season, Jaworski was
selected to the Pro Bowl & named UPI as the "NFL Player of the
Year". Following the 1980 season he received the prestigious Bert
Bell Trophy, was named The Maxwell Football Club's Professional
Player of the Year and was named by the Dunlop Tire and Rubber
Company as the "Professional Athlete of the Year- 1980".
Until the time Jaworski suffered a broken leg and torn ligaments
in his left ankle at St. Louis during the 13th game of the 1984
season, Jaworski had led the Eagles to the NFC Playoffs four times
and had started 116 straight NFL games, thereby setting a record
for the most consecutive starts by an NFL Quarterback. That record
stood until 1999.
During his 10 years (1977-86) with the Philadelphia Eagles,
Jaworski passed for nearly 27,000 yards, including 175 touchdowns.
He is the Eagles' all-time leader in many passing categories,
including career touchdown passes and career passing yardage.
After becoming a free-agent in March 1987, Jaworski was signed
by the Miami Dolphins. Jaworski played for the Dolphins in 1987 and
1988. In April of 1989, Jaworski signed as a free agent with the
Kansas City Chiefs. Jaworski retired in 1990 after a season-ending
knee injury sustained while playing with the Chiefs.
Jaworski's final career statistics include 28,190 passing yards
and 179 passing touchdowns. He spent 17 years in the NFL.
Because of all his civic and charitable work Jaworski was the
national runner-up for the prestigious Miller Beer "NFL Man of the
Year Award," which is given annually to an NFL player for a
combination of community and civic work and on-the-field
performance in 1981.
Jaworski was the recipient of the 1979 "good Guy Award" which is
given annually to the Philadelphia athlete who is the most
cooperative to the Philadelphia press corps.
In 1991, Jaworski was inducted into The Polish-American Sports
Hall of Fame.
In 1992, Jaworski was given the honor of being inducted into the
Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio as a first-ballot Hall of
Famer. That same year he was inducted into the Eagles' Honor Roll.
In 1997, Jaworski received the Pinnacle Award from the South
Jersey chamber of Commerce. This award was given for his
outstanding volunteer and longtime service to the south Jersey
chamber as well as the Business Community.
Currently, Jaworski is excelling in the broadcasting field
working full time for ESPN. Jaworski worked as a sidelines reporter
for ESPN's Sunday Night NFL games and contributed to the Sunday NFL
countdown show.
Jaworski is still involved with ESPN on the following shows: NFL
Monday Night Countdown - Jaworski is a Pro Football analyst on this
Live ESPN show every Monday preceding Monday Night Football, Edge
NFL Match-up - This show, also on ESPN, is for the die-hard
football fan who wants the X's and O's of football explained to
them from a pros point of view.
Jaworski was nominated for an Emmy in 1996 for Outstanding
Achievement for a Host for his work as Host of the TV show...Eagles
Game Live.
Jaworski also has a website on the internet for the avid
football fan. His website is www.ronjaworski.com
He is the CEO of RJ Management, the umbrella company for many of
his business ventures. Despite a very demanding broadcasting
schedule, Jaworski also owns and manages six country clubs, two
hotels, a telecommunication company, a Gold's Gym and two Showcase
Sports Stores.
The group has also purchased an Arena Football team that is
scheduled to begin play in 2003 in Philadelphia.
Jaworski presently serves as the Chairman of the Board of the
Gloucester County United Way. In 1991, Jaworski served as the 1991
Campaign Chairman of this United Way chapter and raised over $2.25
million, a record level for that chapter. Also to benefit The
United Way "Kids Venture Grant" Jaworski runs an annual Celebrity
Golf Tournament which has raised over $400,000 for the kids. In
1998, the United Way honored him with their Volunteer Leadership
Award, which is the highest award presented by the United Way.
He does more than 50 motivational speeches each year for various
organizations.
The South Jersey Chamber of Commerce is another organization
Jaworski is very involved with serving as Vice Chairman of the
Membership Board.
In 1992, Jaworski received the honor of being elected the Sixth
President of the Maxwell Football Club.
Jaworski serves on the Board for the following organizations:
Gloucester County College, Eagles' Fly for Leukemia, South Jersey
Development Council, Community National Bank Advisory Board.
Over the years, Jaworski has served as a TV spokesman for
Goodwill Industries, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Saving
Bond Program, United Way and Hardees, to name a few.
At Youngstown State he had an excellent career from 1969 through
1972. He had 658 career passing attempts, 325 completions, 4,612
yards passing, a school-record 12 200-yard passing games and 32
touchdown passes. In 1972, he set school records for passing yards
per game (235.8) and 200-yard passing games (six).
Ron resides in Voorhees, N.J. with his wife Liz and his three
children, Joleen), Jessica and BJ.
