Every week, the National Football Foundation highlights the people, stories and moments that demonstrate football's impact beyond the field.
The National Football Foundation has announced that Victor J. Glover Jr., the trailblazing pilot of the Artemis II mission, and Steven J. Hatchell, the visionary leader of the NFF, will both be honored with the 2026 NFF Gold Medal during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas!
2013 NFF Campbell Trophy recipient John Urschel, a former Penn State standout who played three seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens, has made a significant breakthrough in mathematics, helping solve a longstanding problem involving Gaussian elimination, a fundamental method used in engineering, computer science and scientific research. Urschel, who retired from the NFL in 2017 to pursue his passion for mathematics, earned his doctorate from MIT and is now a professor at the university. His latest achievement adds another remarkable chapter to a career that has taken him from the football field to the forefront of mathematical research. Read more in Upworthy.
Shriners Children’s and the Dallas Cowboys announced a landmark multiyear partnership to host the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas through 2031. The 102nd edition of the nation’s oldest college all-star football game will be played on Thursday, February 4, and broadcast through a robust media partnership with The E.W. Scripps Company.
Chris Hudson — DB, Colorado
Chris Hudson was honored during Colorado’s Oct. 3 home game. From left: Fidelity Investments SVP Doug Poore; NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell; Hudson; his son, Ashton; daughter, Asa; and wife, Danese; and Alumni C Club Executive Director Kimbirly Orr.
Herman Moore — WR, Virginia
Herman Moore was honored during Virginia's Oct. 10 home game. From left: Fidelity Head of Tax Exempt Relationship Management Ken Cox; NFF Director of Special Projects Hillary Jeffries; Moore; and Virginia Associate Director of Development Shawn Moore, Herman's former quarterback and teammate from 1988 to 1990. The duo formed Virginia's celebrated "Moore to Moore" passing combination.
The late Bob Novogratz — OG, Army
The late Bob Novogratz was honored during Army West Point's Oct. 10 home game. From left: Army West Point Athletics Director Tom Theodorakis, Fidelity Regional VP Leonard Weinstein and NFF representative Jon Taylor (holding plaque), who presented the honor to Novogratz's wife, Barbara, surrounded by members of the Novogratz family. At far right is Brig. Gen. Nicholas H. Gist, dean of the Academic Board at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Join the Celebration of College Football’s Greatest Legends — December 8, 2026
College football players are members of the greatest fraternity in the world. Check out the National Football Foundation’s ‘I Played’ roster and submit your story to join today!
Members who recently submitted their ‘I Played’ story:
Jeffrey Fette, West Virginia — Construction Code Enforcement/Plans Examiner, City of Hardeeville, S.C.
Thomas Freeman, Akron — Former Managing Partner of Grant Thornton’s Cleveland office
Brian Rolle, Ohio State — Engineer, 3S Incorporated
“Football taught me that the power of ‘we’ is more important than the power of ‘me.’”
— Brian Rolle
Come see Texas Christian head coach Gary Patterson on Dec. 8 at the
Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for his induction!
Gary Patterson transformed TCU into one of college football's most consistent and respected programs, becoming the winningest head coach in Horned Frogs history. The Rozel, Kansas, native now becomes the fourth TCU coach to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
Over 22 seasons at TCU, Patterson compiled a 181-79 career record, winning 69.6 percent of his games while guiding the program's transition from Conference USA to the Mountain West and then to the Big 12. He led the Horned Frogs to 11 final AP Top 25 rankings, including seven top-10 finishes, a No. 2 ranking in 2010 and a No. 3 ranking in 2014.
Be there with us as we induct Gary Patterson into the NFF College Hall of Fame on December 8 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas!
Stay tuned for more news regarding the latest football participation numbers, schools adding college football, graduates playing college football and the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner!
October 21 — Announcement of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments/ NFF Campbell Trophy® Finalists
December 8 — 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas at Bellagio Resort & Casino
December 8 — Announcement of the winner of the 37th NFF William V. Campbell Trophy®
December 8-9 — The SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
January 25, 2027 — CFP National Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Here are stories the NFF is reading this week as we gear up for another memorable college football season!
I made a game-winning field goal to upset the No. 1 team. It was years in the making
The Athletic
Coastal Carolina shows off ‘90s-inspired uniforms for upcoming game against App State
Yahoo! Sports
Shiyazh Pete, first Navajo NFL player, recognized on Indigenous Peoples Day
Associated Press
Mike Ditka, a 1986 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee who starred as a dominant two-way player at Pittsburgh from 1958-60, passed away Oct. 9. He was 86.
A unanimous First Team All-American in 1960, Ditka excelled as a receiver, defensive end and punter under head coach John Michelosen. He led Pitt in receiving all three seasons, catching 18 passes for 252 yards as a sophomore, 16 for 249 yards as a junior and 11 for 229 yards as a senior. He also averaged 42.5 yards per punt in 1958 and 38.3 yards in 1959, demonstrating the versatility that made him one of the nation's premier all-around players.
Click here to read more about the life and legacy of Mike Ditka.
John P. “Jack” Flynn, a longtime board member of the NFF Maine Chapter and former high school football coach and athletic director in Maine, passed away Oct. 2, 2026. He was 88.
Bob Hitchcock, who played collegiately at San Jose State before winning seven CIF-Southern Section championships as the head coach at Temple City High School in California, has passed away. He was 97.
Jessie McCovery, who played collegiately at Auburn, passed away Oct. 9. He was 53.
Joseph Politan, who played collegiately at Duke before a high school teaching career, passed away Oct. 10. He was 74.
Billy Rains, who played collegiately at Alabama and earned All-SEC and honorable mention All-American status with the Tide, passed away Oct. 13. He was 89.
Gerry Slemmer, who played collegiately at Arizona State and spent 15 seasons as the head coach at Wilson High School in Arizona, has passed away. He was 74.
Russ Smale, who played collegiately at Dartmouth and a member of the Hall of Fame of the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation, passed away Oct. 7. He was 95.
Mac Steen, who played collegiately at Florida and earned All-SEC and captain status for the Gators in 1969, passed away Oct. 2. He was 78.
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