Every week, the National Football Foundation highlights the people, stories and moments that demonstrate football's impact beyond the field.
The ‘I Played’ initiative celebrates how the lessons learned through football continue to shape leaders long after their playing days are over.
Name: Skyler Fulton
College: Arizona State
Accomplishments: William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Now: International Player Pathway Program Head at NFL
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:
Timothy Quinn, Dayton — Orthopedic surgeon (retired)
Pete Smolanovich, New Mexico State — Industrial supply (retired)
Christopher Cola, Ole Miss — Chief financial officer, Detmar Logistics
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!
. . .
“One thing I love seeing is that our alumni programs across the country are really strengthening. We see guys who struggle on their way out, so we are rallying together and we have way more programs than we had 10, 15 years ago. We have this giant fraternity, and guys are really helping other guys move forward in their lives.”
— Montee Ball, 2025 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee
NFF Updates gathers news from events happening within the National Football Foundation and celebrates individuals who have been honored by the organization.
National Football Foundation Chairman Archie Manning, one of the most cherished figures in the history of Ole Miss football and a 1989 inductee into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, was surprised Friday night with an announcement that the university will erect a statue honoring him outside the Manning Center on the Ole Miss campus. Manning learned of the news during a special dinner as part of Ole Miss' M-Club weekend, surrounded by former teammates, coaches and fellow letterwinners. Click here to learn more.
Congratulations to NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductees Larry Fitzgerald (Pitt) and Luke Kuechly (Boston College), NFF National Scholar-Athlete Drew Brees (Purdue), Roger Craig (Nebraska), and Adam Vinatieri (South Dakota State) on their inductions into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only 159 coaches and players have been inducted into both the College Football and Pro Football halls of fame.
NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee and two-time national champion head coach Urban Meyer will be inducted into the Florida Football Ring of Honor during the Oklahoma game on Nov. 7. He will join fellow NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductees Wilber Marshall, Emmitt Smith, Steve Spurrier, Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel and Jack Youngblood, whose names have been immortalized inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Joe Holland is a 1977 NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Cornell who graduated from Harvard Law School and built an exceptional career as a real estate contracts lawyer and community outreach minister in New York City. Joe is launching a new inspirational project entitled “The Touchdown Tools: Winning Strategies for Building Character and Leadership". He is available for the several signature talks that he’s crafted, which include: “How talent opens the door but character determines the outcome;” and “The moral & cultural underpinnings of the American Experiment.” Another talk draws from his current book Make Your Own History: Timeless Truths from Black American Trailblazers that provides insights into leadership and resilience. Holland (pictured above) recently attended the NFF Campbell Trophy Summit. His father, Brud, was inducted into the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, honored with the NFF Distinguished American Award, and served on the NFF Board of Directors. Click here for more details on Joe’s efforts.
Shriners Children’s announced the rebranding of the iconic East-West Shrine Bowl to the Shriners Children’s East-West Bowl. The new name reinforces Shriners Children’s as the game’s owner, operator, and sole charitable beneficiary while highlighting its mission to provide world-class pediatric specialty care regardless of families’ ability to pay. The 102nd game will be played Feb. 4, 2027, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Click here to learn more.
Here are stories the NFF is reading this week as we gear up for another memorable college football season.
Roger Craig’s path from kickball to Pro Football Hall of Fame, with a lifelong teammate along for the ride
The Athletic
‘I’m one of 11’: IU football’s Charlie Becker aims to be the ultimate teammate ahead of the 2026 season
Inside The Hall
Viral Akron Football Promo Attracts Celebrity Season-Ticket Buyers
Front Office Sports
Norris Brown, who won a national championship with the Georgia Bulldogs in 1980 before a career in both the NFL and USFL, has passed away. He was 65.
Dennis Darling, who played both offensive and defensive line at South Carolina, passed away July 30. He was 83.
Rick Galbos, who played collegiately at Ohio State and won a co-national championship in 1970 with the Buckeyes before a career in the CFL, has passed away. He was 75.
George Hill, who played collegiately at Pittsburgh, passed away July 28. He was 28.
Fred Hoaglin, who played collegiately at Pittsburgh before an 11-year playing career in the NFL and 24-year coaching career in the NFL, passed away August 1. He was 82.
Steve Lapko, who played collegiately at George Washington from 1963-65, passed away July 29. He was 81.
Mario Russo, an All-American guard at Akron in the 1950s who went on to a coaching career with stops at Heidelberg, Dayton, Toledo, Denison, Bowling Green and Wisconsin, passed away August 2. He was 93.
Demazio Skelton Jr., who played collegiately at Georgia State, has passed away. He was 35.
Dr. James Urbaniak, who played for Paul “Bear” Bryant at Kentucky and was an All-SEC Scholastic Awardee with the Wildcats, passed away July 18. He was 90.
Tom Varichak, who played collegiately at North Dakota State and entered the Bison Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009 and 2010, passed away August 5. He was 76.
Come see Oklahoma’s George Cumby on Dec. 8 at the
Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for his induction!
A dominant force at linebacker, George Cumby anchored one of the most successful defensive eras in Oklahoma history with the Sooners finishing in the top 10 all four of his seasons in Norman. Cumby earned two First Team All-America selections, including unanimous honors as a senior in 1979, and was recognized as the Big Eight Defensive Player of the Year in both 1978 and 1979. A three-time First Team All-Big Eight selection and the league's Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 1976, he led the Sooners to a dominant 20-1 conference record as a starter. Be there with us as we induct George Cumby into the NFF College Hall of Fame on December 8 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas!
Join the Celebration of College Football’s Greatest Legends — December 8, 2026
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®
January 25, 2027 — CFP National Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
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