Every week, the National Football Foundation highlights the people, stories and moments that demonstrate football's impact beyond the field.
AP Highlights Growth of College Football Programs Nationwide, Citing NFF Research
As colleges and universities nationwide confront declining enrollment, many are turning to football to attract students, generate revenue and strengthen campus communities, according to an Oct. 27 Associated Press story by Eric Olson.
The article draws extensively on research published by the National Football Foundation in September, which documented 10 new or reinstated college football programs taking the field in 2026, the most in a single year since 2013, with seven additional programs planned for 2027 and beyond. Read the article here.
NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee Montee Ball of Wisconsin was the guest speaker at the Rose Bowl Quarterback Club on Oct. 15, ahead of Wisconsin’s game at the Rose Bowl versus UCLA. Entering its 81st season, the Rose Bowl Quarterback Club, a Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation program, is a longstanding community organization dedicated to honoring the spirit of football at all levels — high school, college, and professional. Founded on tradition and camaraderie, the club brings together fans, athletes, coaches, and supporters who share a passion for the game and the Pasadena community.
NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee Larry Fitzgerald, who starred at Pittsburgh from 2002-03 before spending his entire 17-year NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals, became the 20th member of Arizona’s Ring of Honor last weekend and just the sixth to have his number hung in the rafters. NFF Trustee and Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill (right) presented Fitzgerald with his commemorative plaque during the ceremony. Read more here.
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 gave me something very meaningful; lifelong friendships that I still value and maintain today.”
— Thomas Freeman
Come see Washington’s Olin Kreutz on Dec. 8 at the
Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for his induction!
As the anchor of Washington's offensive line in the mid-1990s, Olin Kreutz set the standard for toughness, leadership, and consistency in the Pac-10, emerging as one of the nation's premier centers during a three-year career in Seattle. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native now becomes the 12th Husky player inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
A consensus First Team All-American in 1997, Kreutz earned back-to-back First Team All-Pac-10 honors in 1996 and 1997 and captured the Morris Trophy in 1997 as the conference's top offensive lineman as voted on by opposing players.
Be there with us as we induct Olin Kreutz 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!
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!
Women’s flag football is the next big thing in campus sports
Sports Business Journal
Navy-Notre Dame Brings College Football Tradition and Patriots History to Gillette Stadium
New England Patriots
With a historically low number of undefeated FBS teams left, 2026 season is poised for a frenzied finish
CBS Sports
Pete Banaszak, who played collegiately at Miami (FL) and spent his entire 13-year professional career with Oakland, has passed away. He was 82.
Arnie Bielema, the father of Illinois head coach Bret Bielema, has passed away. He was 88.
Ed Bunio, an assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State from 1979-94 and a member of the Blue Raider Hall of Fame, passed away Oct. 26. He was 85.
Jason Gahan, who played collegiately at College of the Siskiyous (CA), has passed away. He was 53.
Valarie Ham, the wife of legendary Georgia Southern quarterback and 2007 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee Tracy Ham, passed away Oct. 17. She was 64.
Toya Jones, who played collegiately at Texas A&M and one of the most decorated high school track and field athletes in Texas’ history, passed away Oct. 22. He was 49.
Lawrence McCutcheon, who played collegiately at Colorado State before going on a run of five straight Pro Bowls from 1973-77 with the Los Angeles Rams, passed away Oct. 23. He was 76.
David Moulton, who was both Gary Danielson’s spotter at CBS and Troy Aikman’s spotter at FOX, has passed away. He was 59.
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