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- 3/24: Football Brings Everyone Together!
3/24: Football Brings Everyone Together!
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: Owen Grover
College: Wartburg College (IA)
Achievements: NFF National Scholar-Athlete
Now: Medical Student
Watch: Owen Grover for ‘I Played’
Photo: Wartburg College
. . .
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
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!
. . .
“Football brings everyone together no matter the background and the diversity we have at our universities.”
— Sonja Stills, Commissioner, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
Strengthening Journalism & Programming
Congratulations to Nexstar CEO Perry Sook, who serves on the NFF Board of Trustees, on the completion of Nexstar’s $6.2 billion merger with Tegna, creating the nation’s largest broadcaster and strengthening journalism and programming at the local level. The combined company will own more than 250 TV stations and reach more than half of U.S. households.
Westchester County Honors Scholar-Athletes
The NFF Westchester County (NY) Chapter honored its 52nd class of Golden Dozen Scholar Athletes on March 10. Including honorable mention honorees, the chapter recognized more than 30 student-athletes this year. The chapter has celebrated more than 1,200 student-athletes since 1974, awarding scholarships totaling nearly $700,000.
In the most recent episode of the NFF Podcast, host LaVar Arrington sits down with one of the best coaches in the country right now, Texas Tech's Joey McGuire. The guys discuss their past coaching together in the Under Armour All-American game, Texas Tech's big year, McGuire's coaching career & how Coach keeps his teams motivated.
 | The Army-Navy Game, which was honored in December with the NFF Distinguished American Award, received a special executive order this past week, providing it an exclusive broadcasting window at the conclusion of the regular college football season. |
 | He’s the hottest football recruit in the nation — and he’s never played in a game |
 | Documentary on Texas high school football integration spotlights 1960 Miller team |
 | Oregon QB Dante Moore reveals he has fought depression and seeks support for mental health services |
 | Next Woman Up: Madilyn Johnson, Coordinator, Coaching Operations for the New York Jets |
Bob Beal, who played collegiately at Cal, has passed away. He was 76.
Sam Goodwin, the architect of Northwestern State's golden modern era of football, has passed away. He was 82.
Jerry Hanlon, a former assistant coach at Michigan, has passed away. He was 96.
Roger Hermsmeyer, who played collegiately at Arizona, has passed away. He was 80.
Leyton Hernandez, who coached high school football at Veterans Memorial High School in Corpus Christi, Texas, has passed away. He was 28.
Cameron Ontko, who played collegiately at Cal Poly and in the NFL with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has passed away. He was 33.
Carl Poelker, the former head coach at McKendree University (IL), has passed away. He was 82.
Tom Reynolds, who played collegiately at North Dakota State, has passed away. He was 85.
Ray Schoenke, who played collegiately at SMU and in the NFL for multiple teams, has passed away. He was 84.
Doug Shively, who played collegiately at Kentucky, has passed away. He was 88.
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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