Fly-half George Ford, who became Leicester Tigers' youngest-ever first-teamer in the cup tie at Leeds last weekend, has been shortlisted for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Ford, who also became the youngest player to take part in a professional club match at the age of 16 years and 237 days in the LV= Cup game against Leeds Carnegie, was only 15 when he first appeared for England's Under-18 side.
George is the son of England defence coach Mike Ford, who watched him make his Tigers debut against older brother Joe, on November 8.
"It was great to be able to watch George and Joe make their debuts for their clubs in the same game last weekend," said Ford senior.
"I'm surprised and very proud to hear George had been nominated for the award and he's the only player in a team sport on the list.
"It's a great accolade. Sometimes you take for granted what he's accomplished so quickly, but this underlines what he's achieved so far."
The BBC award shortlist of 10 also includes World champion diver Tom Daley, Junior US Open tennis champion Heather Watson, round-the-world yachtsman Mike Perham and Paralympics swimming champion Eleanor Simmons.
The top three will be selected on November 23 and the winner announced live on the Sports Personality of the Year show on December 13.
Ford, who also became the youngest player to take part in a professional club match at the age of 16 years and 237 days in the LV= Cup game against Leeds Carnegie, was only 15 when he first appeared for England's Under-18 side.
George is the son of England defence coach Mike Ford, who watched him make his Tigers debut against older brother Joe, on November 8.
"It was great to be able to watch George and Joe make their debuts for their clubs in the same game last weekend," said Ford senior.
"I'm surprised and very proud to hear George had been nominated for the award and he's the only player in a team sport on the list.
"It's a great accolade. Sometimes you take for granted what he's accomplished so quickly, but this underlines what he's achieved so far."
The BBC award shortlist of 10 also includes World champion diver Tom Daley, Junior US Open tennis champion Heather Watson, round-the-world yachtsman Mike Perham and Paralympics swimming champion Eleanor Simmons.
The top three will be selected on November 23 and the winner announced live on the Sports Personality of the Year show on December 13.
