What do we have included in this week’s National Football Foundation Footballetter?

🏈 Tim Tebow shares his ‘I Played’ story
🏈 Football: the ultimate team game
🏈 And much more!

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

Name: Tim Tebow
College: Florida
Accomplishments: NFF College Football Hall of Fame (2023), Heisman Trophy winner (2007), national champion (2007, 2009)
Now: College football broadcaster, author, advocate

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 is one example of what makes the sport so meaningful!

. . .

“It’s the ultimate team game. You get the opportunity to meet a lot of different people from totally different places and walks of life. You all come together for one common goal. You develop a brotherhood and a kindred spirit for one another that you really can’t explain to people who aren’t a part of it.”

— Dennis Thurman, 2025 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee

NFF College Football Hall of Fame Coach Frank Solich (Nebraska, Ohio) will receive the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame Legend Award Sept. 4 during a ceremony in Lincoln while also being recognized during the season opener the following day against Ohio. Click here for more information.

Several members of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame have landed on a list of former NFL players leading high school football programs this fall, including Carson Palmer (Southern California), Ty Detmer (BYU), Jeremy Maclin (Missouri), Mark Simoneau (Kansas State) and 2026 College Football Hall of Fame electee Eric Weddle (Utah). Also joining the high school head coaching ranks is Chad Pennington, the 1999 NFF Campbell Trophy® recipient and former Marshall quarterback.  Click here for the full list.

• James Bolling, who played collegiately at Kentucky before serving in the United States Air Force from 1966-70, passed away June 25. He was 81.

• Thomas Collins, who played collegiately at Tulsa and Central Michigan before becoming a professor of anthropology and chair of the Department of Anthropology at Memphis, passed away June 28. He was 92.

• Clif Crabtree, who played collegiately at Rice before founding First Continental Mortgage in 1993, passed away June 27. He was 76.

• Leroy Irvin, who played collegiately at Kansas before becoming both an All-Pro punt returner and cornerback with the Rams, has passed away. He was 68.

• Paul Jette, who coached collegiately at East Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma State, Miami, Auburn, Wisconsin, Baylor and TCU, passed away June 26. He was 71.

• George “Randy” Jinks, who played collegiately at Rice before a 29-year career with Texas Commerce Bank, passed away June 22. He was 78.

• Bill Long, who played collegiately at Mississippi Southern College before enlisting in the United States Army and eventually returning to college football at Auburn, passed away June 30. Long spent many years as a successful high school coach in Florida, as well as a stint as the Freshman/JV coach at Florida State. He was 92.

• Keith Mitchell, who played collegiately at Texas A&M as a member of the “Wrecking Crew” defense from 1993-96, passed away July 2. He was 51.

• Joseph Sefa, who played collegiately at Oklahoma before serving in the United States Army from 1964-66 and eventually earning his law degree, passed away June 30. He was 86.

• Jim Walden, who served as the head coach at Washington State from 1978-86 and Iowa State from 1987-94, passed away July 2. He was 88. Walden led the Cougars to the 1981 Holiday Bowl, the team’s first bowl game in 50 years.

Join the Celebration of College Football’s Greatest Legends — December 8, 2026

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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