Every week, the National Football Foundation highlights the people, stories and moments that demonstrate football's impact beyond the field.
The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) have released its 2026–27 Annual Report on Football, which this year highlights expanding opportunities to play across the country, including growth in women’s participation, alongside innovations in technology and coaching that support player development and safety!
"The future for football remains strong at every level of the sport," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "It is inclusive, builds community and provides many educational and leadership opportunities."
The full 2026–27 Annual Report on Football is available by clicking here.
NFF Chairman Archie Manning was recently honored with the 2026 Jenkins Medal Sports Legend Award by the Center for Sports Communication & Media at the University of Texas at Austin’s Moody College of Communication. Manning accepted the honor on behalf of the “First Family of Football” during the Jenkins Medal Awards Dinner Sept. 17 in Austin. Named for legendary sportswriter and former NFF Historian Dan Jenkins, the award is part of the Dan Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sportswriting program, which celebrates distinguished figures in sports and sports journalism. A 1989 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and former Ole Miss quarterback, Manning has served as NFF chairman since 2007 and remains one of college football’s most respected ambassadors.
American Football Week, a four-day national celebration, will take center stage Nov. 5–8, bringing together youth, middle school, high school, college and professional football around one shared idea: honor the coaches who develop the game. The initiative brings together stakeholders from every level of the sport, including the National Football Foundation, Texas High School Coaches Association, state coaching associations and youth football organizations; NCAA conferences and individual schools, the American Football Coaches Association; NFL Football Operations, NFL Films/NFL Network, the NFL Legends Community, NFLPA, all 32 clubs and broadcast partners, including ESPN, FOX and CBS. Together, these organizations will help amplify American Football Week and its celebration of coaches and their life-long impact on players.
Ten NFF College Football Hall of Fame members with ties to North Carolina are being permanently honored at Kenan Stadium as part of new displays celebrating the greatest players and coaches in Tar Heel history. Harris Barton, Dré Bly, William Fuller, Charlie “Choo Choo” Justice, Don McCauley, Julius Peppers and Art Weiner, along with NFF College Football Hall of Fame coaches Mack Brown, Carl Snavely and Jim Tatum, are featured in the new display. It was unveiled Oct. 3 during UNC’s game against Notre Dame, along with a companion display honoring the school’s Pro Football Hall of Famers. The project was initiated by North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick as part of his efforts to showcase the program’s rich history throughout its football facilities.
NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee Blake Elliott appeared as a featured guest on the inaugural edition of Johnnie GameDay – Live From Collegeville, the first Division III pregame show of its kind in the nation.
Modeled after a national college football pregame show, Johnnie GameDay featured interviews, game predictions, keys to victory, a look at Saint John’s game-day traditions and a “Ring the Bell” challenge. The hour-long show debuted Oct. 3 before the Johnnies’ game against Bethel, airing live from the SJU Tailgate in Collegeville, Minnesota, on the MIAC Network. Click here for a replay.
Elliott, a 2025 Hall of Fame inductee and former Saint John’s All-America wide receiver, was featured in two segments. Playing for legendary College Football Hall of Fame coach John Gagliardi, he helped the Johnnies capture the 2003 NCAA Division III national championship. Following the show, a crowd of 13,661 watched the No. 5 Johnnies defeat No. 7 Bethel, 42-16.
Jerry Azumah — RB, New Hampshire
Jerry Azumah was honored during New Hampshire’s home game on Oct. 3. From left: Azumah’s family, including his parents, Theophilus (T.K.) and Bertha, and his wife, Bianca; Azumah; Athletics Director Ryan Colton; President Elizabeth Chilton; NFF Director of Communications Philip Marwill; Fidelity VP Khristina Harris; Coach Sean McDonnell; and former New Hampshire running backs coach and current Elon Head Coach Tony Trisciani.
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:
Al Story, Georgia — Retired Secret Service
Montee Ball, Wisconsin — Co-Founder, VIVO Colorado
Patrick Porter, Kentucky — Chief Human Resources Officer, Resolve Marine
“The same discipline, tenacity, work ethic, and team work that I learned on the football fields at UGA, propelled me to a successful career as a Special Agent with The United States Secret Service.”
— Al Story
Come see New Hampshire’s Jerry Azumah on Dec. 8 at the
Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for his induction!
One of the most prolific running backs in NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) history, Jerry Azumah set multiple records during his four seasons in Durham while leading the Wildcats to two Atlantic 10 New England Division titles. The Worcester, Massachusetts, native now becomes the first player and second person in Wildcat history to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, joining his coach, Bill Bowes.
The 1998 recipient of the Walter Payton Award, honoring the top FCS offensive player, Azumah became the first player in FCS history to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in four consecutive years, and he broke two FCS records with 6,193 career rushing yards and 8,376 career all-purpose yards.
Be there with us as we induct Jerry Azumah 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!
Montgomery’s scouting pride: Texans back hopes his story will inspire more kids like him to join
AP News
Las Vegas gets ready for college football’s biggest stage in January
News 3 Las Vegas
Inside Harvard’s miracle Hail Mary lateral: ‘Oh, my God, he’s gonna score’
The Athletic
Jim Ray Smith, a 1987 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee from Baylor, passed away Oct. 3. He was 94.
A dominant two-way tackle and one of the Southwest Conference's premier linemen, Smith helped Baylor establish itself as a national contender under head coach George Sauer as a three-year starter from 1952 to 1954. A First Team All-America selection in 1953 and a Second Team pick in 1954, Smith also earned All-Southwest Conference honors twice.
Click here to read more about the life and legacy of Jim Ray Smith.
Duke Carlisle, who quarterbacked Texas to an undefeated season and national championship in 1964, passed away Oct. 2. He was 84.
Dennis Franchione, who spent more than 40 seasons coaching college football, including head coaching stints at Pittsburg State, Southwest Texas State, New Mexico, TCU, Alabama, Texas A&M and Texas State, has passed away. He was 75.
Tony Reno, who coached Yale to five Ivy League championships over 14 seasons and won 83 games as the Bulldogs’ head coach, has passed away. He was 52.
Nelson Toburen, who played collegiately at Wichita State and professionally for the Green Bay Packers, passed away Oct. 4. He was 87.
Jeff Van Note, an All-SEC defensive end at Kentucky in 1966 who played 18 seasons at center for the Atlanta Falcons, has passed away. He was 80.
Christopher Wilson Jr., a high school football prospect committed to play collegiately at West Virginia, has passed away. He was 17.
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