2/24: The greatest fraternity in the world

February 24, 2026

College football players are members of the greatest fraternity in the world. College football shapes leaders, strengthens character and opens doors to lifelong friendships, career opportunities and personal growth. Whether your journey was defined by championships or challenges, your story matters. We invite you to reflect on what football means to you, the lessons it taught you, and the opportunities it created by sharing your ‘I Played’ story.

Name: Craig Bohl
College: Nebraska
Achievements: Won three FCS national titles as head coach at North Dakota State, led Wyoming to multiple bowl appearances
Now: Executive Director, American Football Coaches Association
Watch: Craig Bohl for ‘I Played’

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Members who recently submitted their ‘I Played’ story: Todd Baldwin (Virginia Military Institute), Brad Robinson (Colorado), Tom Welter (Nebraska), Robert Hampton (Boston University), Stephen Schroeder (Webster)

There are good things happening all over the game of football. The National Football Foundation has asked individuals to share an example of something they see happening within our sport that is good for the game. Here are their answers!

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“The entertainment value of the game now is off the charts. People are talking about the game, they’re passionate about it like never before. The game is so good, the players are so good now, the coaches are so good, it’s off the charts.”

— Jim Kleinsasser, 2025 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee

NFF Trustee and U.S. Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX) joined NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell at The Fort Worth Club on Feb. 16 for the Davey O’Brien Annual Awards Dinner. The gala, held in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, celebrated 2025 Davey O'Brien Award recipient Fernando Mendoza (Indiana).

Click here for the NFF’s sit-down with Mendoza at the Davey O’Brien Annual Awards Dinner!

Six NFF Campbell Trophy® finalists have officially been invited to the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, taking place Feb. 26 to March 1, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Topping the list is Campbell Trophy® winner Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt), joined by fellow finalists Jonah Coleman (Washington), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Trey Moore (Texas), Red Murdock (Buffalo), and Sawyer Robertson (Baylor). These ambassadors represent "everything right with the game," and we look forward to watching as they take the next step to playing at our sport's highest level.

Congratulations to NFF College Football Hall of Famers Tom Fears (UCLA), Ted Hendricks (Miami [FL]), and Jim Plunkett (Stanford) on their selection to the inaugural class of the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame. Having paved the way for Hispanic and Latino football players, these iconic trailblazers will be officially honored during the Celebración de Fútbol on May 5 in Las Vegas.

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  • Neal Dahlen, who played quarterback collegiately at San Jose State and won seven Super Bowls as a member of the San Francisco and Denver organizations, has passed away. He was 85.

  • Bill Gray, who played collegiately at Arkansas and served as the captain of the 1964 national championship Razorbacks before working in administration at Arkansas from 1988-2008, has passed away. He was 82.

  • Robin Griffin, who played collegiately at Syracuse, has passed away. He was 75.

  • Joseph Hayes Jr., who played collegiately at Dartmouth, has passed away. He was 100.

  • Tom Moe, the former Minnesota athletics director and father of NFF Trustee Mike Moe, passed away Feb. 15 at the age of 87. Moe was a receiver for the Minnesota Golden Gophers from 1957–59 and also played baseball before becoming Chairman of the Policy Committee and managing partner at one of the nation’s largest law firms. Named interim athletics director in 1999, he served full-time from 2000–02, helping merge the men’s and women’s athletics departments and laying the groundwork for the return of Gopher football games to campus with the development of a new stadium.

  • Rondale Moore, who played collegiately at Purdue and spent time in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals and Minnesota Vikings, has passed away. He was 25.

  • Neal Quillin, who played collegiately at Stephen F. Austin before spending decades as a high school football coach, has passed away. He was 81.

  • Wes Rucker, who covered Tennessee Athletics, has passed away. He was 43.

  • Ronyell Whitaker, who played collegiately at Virginia Tech before spending time in the NFL with Tampa Bay, Minnesota and Detroit who also coached high school football, has passed away. He was 46.

April 8 - Announcement of the 2026 NFF Hampshire Honor Society

June 1 - Release of the 2027 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

June 16 - Announcement of the 2026 NFF High School Team of Distinction

July 23-25 - NFF Campbell Trophy® Summit at Stanford University

September 23 - Announcement of the 2026 NFF Campbell Trophy® Semifinalists

October 21 - Announcement of the 2026 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®

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