In recognition of his 35 years covering professional football, ESPN.com's John Clayton will receive the Dick McCann Memorial Award on Aug. 3 during the Hall of Fame's Enshrinees Dinner.
Clayton
The award is named after the first director of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is presented by the Pro Football Writers of America in recognition of long and distinguished reporting in the field.
"The McCann Award is the highest honor any writer covering this sport can receive," Clayton said in a statement. "I am thrilled to receive this award. After two decades of having the fortune of voting on Hall of Famers as a member of the Board of Selectors, I'm flattered in receiving such an honor. It's the ultimate highlight to a 35-year career of NFL coverage that started in 1972 covering the Steelers during the 'Immaculate Reception' year."
The 2007 enshrinees to the Hall are Gene Hickerson, Michael Irvin, Bruce Matthews, Charlie Sanders, Thurman Thomas and Roger Wehrli.
Past recipients of the McCann award are journalists Arthur Daley, Bob Oates, Len Shapiro, John McClain, Bill Wallace, Will McDonough, Paul Zimmerman and Dave Anderson.