Every week, the National Football Foundation highlights the people, stories and moments that demonstrate football's impact beyond the field.
For the 16th consecutive year, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced this week the 20 Faculty Athletics Representatives (FARs) selected for the 2026 NFF Faculty Salutes Presented by Fidelity Investments®. Since its inception in 2011, the program has recognized 234 FARs and provided $1.16 million to support academic support services nationwide. Click here to read more about this year’s honorees.
The Rose Bowl Institute has been named presenting sponsor of the Terry Donahue Memorial California Showcase, which will hold its 14th annual event Feb. 20, 2027, at the Great Park in Irvine, California. Founded in 2013 by legendary UCLA coach and NFF College Football Hall of Famer Terry Donahue, the California Showcase is one of four free college football recruiting showcases supported by the NFF, providing opportunities for student-athletes to continue their academic and athletic careers at the divisional level. Since its inception, the California event has attracted more than 5,200 participants, helping nearly 1,500 student-athletes continue playing football in college and generating more than $50 million in financial aid. Click here for more information.
South Carolina honored longtime radio play-by-play announcer Todd Ellis during the second quarter of the Gamecocks’ Oct. 24 matchup against Tennessee at Williams-Brice Stadium. Ellis, the 2026 recipient of the NFF Chris Schenkel Award for excellence in college football broadcasting, was recognized on the stadium’s video board before the home crowd. He will officially receive the award Dec. 8 at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas. Click here to read more about the NFF’s 2026 major award recipients.
Ki-Jana Carter — RB, Penn State
Ki-Jana Carter was honored during Penn State's Oct. 31 home game. From left: Fidelity VP David Bruce, NFF Vice Chairwoman Kathy Murphy, Carter and his family.
Peter Warrick — WR, Florida State
Peter Warrick was honored during Florida State's Oct. 31 home game. From left: Florida State Interim Athletics Director Bruce Warwick, Florida State First Lady Jai Vartikar, Florida State President Richard McCullough, Warrick, NFF Trustee Sean Pittman, Fidelity Vice President Greg Libby and Florida State Board of Trustees Chair Peter Collins.
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:
T-Joe Breaux, LSU — Sales representative, Riddell
Brian Burrell, Bowie State (MD) — Therapist SUD, Mental Health, Salvation Army
Charlie Lee, Nevada — Retired law enforcement
“Football taught me how to get along with people of a different race. I learned that in football we were all brothers, no matter what race or religion or politics. Football taught me to work hard and never give up, and to love my teammates.”
— Brian Burrell
Come see Carson-Newman’s (TN) Ken Sparks on Dec. 8 at the
Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for his induction!
Ken Sparks built one of the most dominant and enduring programs in the history of college football, forging a legacy of excellence across nearly four decades at Carson-Newman University. The Knoxville, Tennessee, native now becomes the first person ever from the Eagles program to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
Over 37 seasons, Sparks compiled a 338-99-2 career record, ranking sixth all-time in victories among all divisions. His .772 winning percentage ranks 18th all-time among coaches from all divisions in college football history.
Be there with us as we induct Ken Sparks 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!
Basketball never sleeps in Kentucky. Will Stein just made it take a nap
USA Today
Johns Hopkins wins on an obscure play that was out of college football for 76 years
The Athletic
College Football Playoff Rankings Raise Miami-Notre Dame Game Stakes
Forbes
Ernie Anderson Jr., who played collegiately at West Virginia from 1981-84, passed away Oct. 27. He was 64.
Dan Doornink, who played running back collegiately at Washington State before spending eight seasons in the NFL, including seven with the Seattle Seahawks, has passed away. He was 70.
Bob Heinz, who played collegiately at the University of the Pacific and won two Super Bowls in the 1970s with the Miami Dolphins, has passed away. He was 79.
Freddie James, one of the most iconic coaches in Texas high school football history, who coached at Dallas Carter High School from 1982-95, passed away Oct. 29. He was 89.
Ellis Johnson, who played collegiately at Southeastern Louisiana before spending three seasons with the Boston Patriots, has passed away. He was 83.
June Jones, who played quarterback at Hawaii before returning to his alma mater as head coach and compiling a 76-41 record, including an undefeated 12-0 regular season in 2007 that led to a trip to the Sugar Bowl, has passed away. He was 73. Jones was also the head coach at SMU from 2008-14.
Don Knodel, the former executive of the “R” Association at Rice and a member of the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame, passed away Oct. 30. He was 95.
Paul Pitts, who played collegiately at TCU and participated in both the Cotton Bowl and Bluebonnet Bowl with the Horned Frogs, passed away Nov. 2. He was 89.
Doug Woolard, who served as the athletic director at Saint Louis and South Florida, passed away Oct. 30. He was 76.
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