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6/24: Double-Barrel For Graham Harrell
Good in the Game 6/24

Good morning, football fans! The National Football Foundation will announce its Team of Distinction tomorrow!

A big congratulations to NFF Vice Chairman Clay Bennett on leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to the 2025 NBA title! Bennett, a member of the NFF Board since 1995, has led the OKC Thunder ownership group since purchasing the team in 2006. OKC claimed the NBA championship, defeating the Indiana Pacers, 103-91, in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday.
Love College Football.
Now Help Shape Its History.

The 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot is out — featuring 223 legends across all levels of the game. Only National Football Foundation members can vote, helping decide which icons take their place among the less than 0.02% of players and coaches ever enshrined. Join the NFF today to cast your ballot and make your voice part of the legacy. Voting ends July 1.
In the latest episode of the Good in the Game Podcast, two Butkus Award winners sit down for an in-depth interview as host LaVar Arrington chats with former Michigan Wolverine linebacker Erick Anderson. Erick discusses his time in Ann Arbor, the magical 1991 season, where the game has taken him and what has meant the most to him outside of the game.

Join us to celebrate college football legends such as Montee Ball, Graham Harrell, Michael Strahan, Michael Vick and many, many more at one of the sport's grandest traditions — the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas — Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at the iconic Bellagio Hotel & Casino.
The highlight of the Awards Dinner will be the induction of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class, where 18 legendary players and four acclaimed coaches take their place amongst the greatest of all time. The inductees proudly represent every region of the country, 28 collegiate institutions, 11 conferences, and seven decades.

🏈 2025 NFF College Football Hall of Fame electee Graham Harrell has been named to the Texas Tech Ring of Honor! He’ll be honored Oct. 24 during the Red Raiders’ home game against Oklahoma State while also receiving an NFF Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute presented by Fidelity Investments.
🏈 Kyle Williams, a 2019 Campbell Trophy® semifinalist from Arizona State, made it to the NFL—but he always had a Plan B. Now pursuing a career as an orthopedic surgeon, Williams recently spoke with Fox 10 Phoenix about how the life lessons and discipline he gained on the football field are helping him thrive in medicine. Click here for the story.
🏈 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductees Vince Young and Coach Mack Brown will headline the August 19 Lone Star Luncheon at the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (TSHOF) in Waco, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Texas Longhorns’ 2005 National Championship and their thrilling Rose Bowl victory. Click here for details.
🏈 The Southwest Conference (SWC) Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Luncheon will also be held at the TSHOF on August 5, featuring football stars Jay & Neal Jeffrey (Baylor), John Thornton (Texas A&M), and Lloyd Hill (Texas Tech). Click here for details.


Graphic: The Athletic
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has gone from unheralded three-star to a potential first round pick in next year’s NFL Draft.
📰: How LaNorris Sellers, a QB no one knew about a year ago, became projected top-5 NFL Draft pick
The Athletic
📰: Kalen Jackson is carrying on her father’s legacy through her mental health advocacy
Associated Press

Ron Collins, a defensive back during his playing days at Washington State who was currently serving as a defensive senior analyst on the Boise State coaching staff, has passed away. He was 61.
John Tautolo, who played collegiately at UCLA before spending parts of five seasons in the NFL with four different organizations, has passed away. He was 65.
Fred Smith, who founded FedEx, passed away June 21 at the age of 80. Smith played high school football at the Memphis University School, attributing much of his success later in life to the strong relationships he developed with his coaches.

Name: Troy Aikman
High School: Henryetta High School (Okla.)
College: UCLA
NFF Hall of Fame: 2008 inductee
College Football and @NFL Hall of Famer @TroyAikman believes that football has the power to change lives. #IPlayed
— National Football Foundation (@NFFNetwork)
6:10 PM • Feb 11, 2025
Share your football story with us! We want to know what football means to you, the lessons you learned, and the opportunities it provided.

June 25 — NFF Team of Distinction announced
July 24-26 — Campbell Trophy Summit at Stanford University
August 11 – FWAA-NFF Super 16 Preseason Poll
August 23 – Week Zero Games
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