Dec. 15, 2000

Villanova, PA - On Friday, December 15, the Associated Press announced that Villanova junior running back, Brian Westbrook (Fort Washington, MD/DeMatha H.S.), was named to the 2000 Associated Press All-America team as an all-purpose player.

Westbrook's selection to the Associated Press All-America team is his second such honor in 2000. On December 12, the Maryland native garnered an All-America selection from the American Football Coaches Association as a return specialist. In 1998, Westbrook also earned two All-American team selections. He received the national recognition from the AP and the Sports Network as a running back and kick returner.

Over the course of his junior campaign in 2000, Westbrook tallied a nation's best 2,992 all-purpose yards. A little more than a third of those yards came on kick off returns. Westbrook returned 38 kicks for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns. In the final game of 2000 against the nationally ranked Delaware Blue Hens, Westbrook returned nine kicks for 269 yards. For the second time in his career, Westbrook also surpassed the 1,000-1,000 mark. In 1998, he recorded 1,046 yards rushing and 1,144 yards receiving. He duplicated the feat in 2000, but in a different manner, posting 1,000-yard totals in rushing with 1,220 yards and in returns with 1,048.

The four-time All-American has been reaping the awards of an outstanding campaign in 2000. Westbrook finished third in the Walter Payton Award voting, which is given to Division I-AA national Offensive Player of the Year. He also earned recognition as the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, as well as receiving two first team conference selections as a running back and return specialist.