IRVING, Texas (Oct. 18, 2023) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today that Charles Davis, the highly regarded CBS Sports announcer, will emcee the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas Dec. 5 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
 
"Charles Davis is one of the most gifted sports broadcasters in the industry, having charismatically provided invaluable analysis for some of the biggest games in college football history and now for the NFL on CBS," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Charles has an immense passion and knowledge of college football. His broadcasting style combines detailed preparation with an easy-to-understand delivery, making him exceedingly popular among audiences across the country. We are so glad he has agreed to emcee one of college football's marquee events."
 
This will be Davis' second time emceeing the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas, having previously hosted the event in 2019. Davis has also lent his talents at other prestigious NFF events, serving as the emcee for the NFF Leadership Hall of Fame induction ceremonies of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (2014), Atlanta Falcons Owner and Chairman Arthur Blank (2018) and Miami Dolphins Chairman/Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross (2019).
 
Davis is among a prestigious list of individuals who have donated their skills to host the fabled event, including TV Host Ed Sullivan, TV Host of "What's My Line" John Charles Daly, U.S. Senator George Murphy, Rutgers University President Mason W. Gross, CBS News Anchor Harry Smith (now with NBC News) and ABC Sports broadcaster Chris Schenkel, who emceed the event for 28 consecutive years from 1968 to 1995. Other notable sports broadcasters who have emceed the event include Tim Brando, Rece Davis, Chris Fowler, Verne Lundquist, Joe Tessitore and Mike Tirico.
 
"Charles' talents will provide an unforgettable night for all of the evening's honorees," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "He has become an inspiration and idol for many, and all of the honorees from the Hall of Famers to the scholar-athletes will get a thrill from being on stage with him. We are elated to have him emcee our Annual Awards Dinner."
 
The 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas will serve as the culmination of the college football regular season. It will feature the induction of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class; the presentation of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments; and the bestowing of the 34th William V. Campbell Trophy® to college football's top scholar-athlete.
 
The 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class includes Eric Berry (Tennessee), Michael Bishop (Kansas State), Reggie Bush (Southern California), Dwight Freeney (Syracuse), Robert Gallery (Iowa), LaMichael James (Oregon), Derrick Johnson (Texas), Bill Kollar (Montana State), Luke Kuechly (Boston College), Jeremy Maclin (Missouri), Terance Mathis (New Mexico), Bryant McKinnie (Miami [FL]), Corey Moore (Virginia Tech), Michael Stonebreaker (Notre Dame), Tim Tebow (Florida), Troy Vincent (Wisconsin), Brian Westbrook (Villanova), DeAngelo Williams (Memphis), and coaches Monte Cater (Lakeland [WI], Shepherd [WV]), Paul Johnson (Georgia Southern, Navy, Georgia Tech), Roy Kramer (Central Michigan) and Mark Richt (Georgia, Miami [FL]).


On Oct. 25, the NFF will announce the members of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments, who will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and vie as finalists for The William V. Campbell Trophy®. They will be honored at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 5, where one will be named the recipient of the Campbell Trophy® as college football's top scholar-athlete and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
 
Click here for more information on the Awards Dinner, including options to purchase tickets online, special travel rates to the event from Delta Air Lines and discounted hotel rates at the ARIA.
   
Veteran broadcaster Charles Davis joined CBS Sports as a game analyst for the CBS Television Network's coverage of THE NFL ON CBS in April 2020. Providing color commentary, Davis shares the booth with play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle with Evan Washburn as the sideline reporter, rounding out the Network's No. 2 NFL ON CBS announce team. Davis will also contribute to the Network's coverage of Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. He also hosts the nationally syndicated show: Sports Stars of Tomorrow.
 
A member of FOX Sports since 2006, Davis moved into the FOX NFL booth full time in 2015 and called his first NFL playoff game when the New Orleans Saints defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 20-14, in the 2018 NFC Divisional Playoff Round. In 2009-10, he paired with Dick Stockton as an analyst for FOX NFL games.
 
Davis served as the lead analyst on FOX's college football coverage. He was on the call for three consecutive BCS National Championship games between 2007-09, also covering the 2008 Sugar Bowl and 2009 Orange Bowl. Davis' most memorable college football broadcast experience came when he called the underdog Boise State's thrilling, come-from-behind victory over perennial powerhouse Oklahoma in the 2007 Fiesta Bowl, in which the Broncos executed the "Statue of Liberty" play for the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime. In addition, Davis served as an on-course reporter during FOX Sports' inaugural golf coverage of the U.S. Open Championship in 2015.
 
Prior to joining FOX Sports, Davis worked five seasons as the lead analyst for TBS' college football game coverage of the Big 12 and Pac-10 conferences. During that time, he also worked as a game analyst for NBC's coverage of the Arena Football League from 2003-06. Davis has covered the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship for CBS, the NBA playoffs for TNT and both BIG EAST and Conference USA basketball for ESPN Plus' regional coverage.
        
He continues to stay connected to college football year-round, intensifying his study of players who are eligible for the annual NFL Draft at the conclusion of each college football season. With a regular place on the NFL Network's draft lead-up programming, Davis has gained notoriety and positive reviews for his depth of familiarity with prospects across all ranges of the draft. Each year he staffs the Senior Bowls and NFL Combines, and he has also been a part of NFLN's live draft weekend coverage since 2007. Davis also has served as the analyst voice in Madden NFL video games since 2017.
 
Immediately after retiring from football, Davis performed a variety of different roles during the 1990s. He served as an assistant athletic director at Stanford University, director of the United States Olympic Training Center and also became the first African American tournament director in PGA Tour history when he ran the Disney Golf Classic from 1998-2000.
        
Davis earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Tennessee and completed his master's in history while at the school. A four-year starter as a defensive back from 1983-86, and member of the Academic All-SEC Team, Davis appeared in 39 games and posted 234 tackles (146 solo), 13 interceptions, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles. Following his career at Tennessee, he signed as a rookie free agent with the Dallas Cowboys and participated in the club's 1987 training camp. In 2019, Davis was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in a class that included former NFL stars and College Football Hall of Fame inductees Peyton Manning (the 1997 Campbell Trophy Winner) and Patrick Willis.
 
All-Time List of NFF Annual Award Dinner Emcees
1958 - George Murphy, U.S. Senator, Actor and NFF President
1959 - George Murphy, U.S. Senator, Actor and NFF President
1960 - Mason W. Gross, President of Rutgers University
1961 - Mason W. Gross, President of Rutgers University
1962 - Mason W. Gross, President of Rutgers University
1963 - Mason W. Gross, President of Rutgers University
1964 - Ed Sullivan, TV Host of the Ed Sullivan Show
1965 - John Charles Daly, TV Host of What's My Line
1966 - John Charles Daly, TV Host of What's My Line
1967 - Ed Sullivan, TV Host of the Ed Sullivan Show
1968 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1969 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1970 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1971 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1972 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1973 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1974 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1975 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1976 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1977 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1978 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1979 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1980 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1981 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1982 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1983 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1984 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1985 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1986 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1987 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1988 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1989 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1990 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1991 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1992 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1993 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1994 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1995 - Chris Schenkel, ABC Sports Broadcaster
1996 - Chris Fowler, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
1997 - Chris Fowler, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
1998 - Chris Fowler, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
1999 - Tim Brando, CBS Sports Broadcaster (now with FOX Sports)
2000 - Chris Fowler, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2001 - Mike Tirico, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster (now with NBC Sports)
2002 - Tim Brando, CBS Sports Broadcaster (now with FOX Sports)
2003 - Chris Fowler, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2004 - Mike Tirico, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster (now with NBC Sports)
2005 - Chris Fowler, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2006 - Verne Lundquist, CBS Sports Broadcaster
2007 - Chris Fowler, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2008 - Rece Davis, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2009 - Chris Fowler, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2010 - Harry Smith, CBS News Anchor (now with NBC News)
2011 - Rece Davis, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2012 - Rece Davis, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2013 - Rece Davis, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2014 - Rece Davis, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2015 - Mike Tirico, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster (now with NBC Sports)
2016 - Mike Tirico, NBC Sports Broadcaster
2017 - Joe Tessitore, ESPN Sports Broadcaster
2018 - Joe Tessitore, ESPN Sports Broadcaster
2019 - Charles Davis, FOX Sports Broadcaster (now with CBS Sports)
2020 - No NFF Annual Awards Dinner due to the pandemic
2021 - Rece Davis, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2022 - Rece Davis, ESPN/ABC Sports Broadcaster
2023 - Charles Davis, CBS Sports Broadcaster