The Chilton Auburn Club will honor former Auburn defensive end Antonio Coleman at its 44th annual Unsung Hero Banquet on April 27, according to club president Charles Bates.

The banquet will be held at the Helen Parrish Activity Center of Clanton First United Methodist Church.

Carl Jackson, who served as a defensive assistant coach at Williamson High School in Mobile during Coleman’s years at the school, said Coleman was a worthy choice for the award.

Jackson commended the former Auburn Tiger on his decision to stick with Auburn during his senior year rather than head to the NFL, despite the fact that Coleman had already fulfilled his academic obligations to the college.

“One of the things he said that stuck with me was that he wanted to come back to try to put Auburn back where Auburn belonged,” Jackson said. “He took it upon himself to take a bad situation and become a leader and try to get a team back on the right road.”

In an age when people tend to frown upon athletes that lack character, Jackson continued, he said Coleman was one who “actually gets it.”

The efforts and personal sacrifices of team leaders like Coleman paid off.

During the 2009 regular season, the Auburn Tigers went 8-5, an improvement from their 5-7 record in 2008.

“Regardless of the fact that you say you’re not a role model, there’s someone out there who wants to be like you,” Jackson said.

Former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville was honored at the 2009 Unsung Hero Banquet, which was attended by approximately 250 people.

For more information about the banquet, visit the Chilton Auburn Club’s Web site at chiltonauburnclub.com.