Liu named Horrigan Award winner by PFWA

Former NFL senior director of football communications Randall Liu was named the 2018 Jack Horrigan Award winner, the Professional Football Writers of America announced Friday.

Liu, who spent 18 years on the league's communications staff, is the eighth current or former NFL employee to receive the award from the PFWA.

Liu, who left the NFL to join CBS Sports as vice president of communications in May 2018, was nominated for the Horrigan Award for his professionalism, promptness, candor and effectiveness in coordinating media access at the NFL's major events, including the Super Bowl.

The award is presently annually to the league or club official for his or her qualities and professional style in helping the pro football writers do their job.

It is named for Horrigan, a sportswriter for UPI and the Buffalo Evening News, public relations director for the American Football League (1963-66) and vice president of public relations for the Buffalo Bills (1966-73).

"Randall is a godsend. He doesn't just know statistics, he knows a good story and what reporters want," said Sam Farmer, who covers the NFL for the Los Angeles Times. "He's unfailingly upbeat, has a great sense of humor, and generally makes our professional lives easier."

Other 2018 nominees for the Horrigan Award were Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard, Dallas Cowboys owner/president/general manager Jerry Jones, NFL VP of communications Brian McCarthy and Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead.

Liu began his career with the NFL in 2000 as a public relations assistant. He was elevated to director of NFC football communications in 2011 and promoted to senior director of football communications in 2017.

In his last role with the league, Liu oversaw the creation and execution of all on-field publicity for the NFL, served as the league office's communications contact for the 32 clubs as well as an NFL spokesman for football-related inquiries.