Colts sign former Pat Tillman Award winner, wait for officer to finish Army service

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts have signed free agent linebacker Josh McNary and placed him on the team's reserve-military list.

The 6-foot, 251-pound McNary will join the team when he finishes active duty in the U.S. Army.

McNary won the 2011 East-West Shrine game's Pat Tillman Award, which is given to a player who best exemplifies character, intelligence, sportsmanship and service. During his four seasons at West Point, he demonstrated he could play, too.

He finished as Army's career leader in sacks (28) and tackles for loss (49). He had 195 career tackles, nine passes defensed, forced five fumbles, recovered three and scored on a 55-yard fumble return in a 2010 win against SMU.

McNary, a commissioned Army officer, was not taken in the 2011 draft.