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: Darrin Smith
College: Miami (FL)
Accomplishments: 2025 NFF College Hall of Fame inductee
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:
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 is one example of what makes the sport so meaningful!
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“Football brings everyone together no matter the background and the diversity we have at our universities.”
— Sonja Stills, Commissioner, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
NFF Updates gathers news from events happening within the National Football Foundation and celebrates individuals who have been honored by the organization.
The 8th Annual Campbell Trophy Summit, proudly sponsored by Intuit, is on YouTube! Hear from Brad D. Smith, the President of Marshall University, who spoke on the Five Principles of Extraordinary Leadership, and each of the other inspiring speakers at the button below!
The Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation announced the newest inductees into the California High School Football Hall of Fame. Among the seven players and three coaches are Derek Carr, a 2013 NFF Campbell Trophy Finalist from Fresno State, and Pat Tillman, an Arizona State All-American who received the NFF Distinguished American Award in 2006 before entering the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
The NFF’s Good in the Game Podcast is part of the NFF’s ongoing conversation with leaders shaping the future of college football.
On the latest episode, host LaVar Arrington welcomes new Michigan State head coach Pat Fitzgerald to talk about his legendary career and his new journey in East Lansing with the Spartans!
Here are stories the NFF is reading this week as we gear up for another memorable college football season.
A League of Their Own: Colleges Launch Flag Football for Women
Inside Higher Ed
Marco Rubio would ‘watch every college football game’ with a week off as secretary
USA Today
Keeler: CU Buffs QB Julian Lewis says it’s ‘a blessing’ to give back to Denver kids
Denver Post
Billy Ray Smith Jr., the legendary Arkansas defensive end and 2000 NFF College Football Hall of Fame inductee, passed away July 29. He was 64.
Smith contributed to one of the greatest family lineages in college football history. His father, Billy Ray Smith Sr., lettered two years as a tackle at Arkansas and earned All-Southwest Conference honors in 1956. Billy Ray Jr. expanded the family's reign from 1979–82, lettering four years while earning unanimous All-America honors as a defensive end in 1981 and 1982. Both father and son were named to the Arkansas All-Century Team.
CLICK HERE to read more about the life and legacy of Smith Jr.
Bert Askson, who played both offense and defense at Texas Southern before being selected in the 1970 NFL Draft, passed away July 24. He was 80.
Charles Brueckman, who played offensive center and defensive linebacker at Pitt from 1953-57, passed away July 20. He was 90.
William Clabo, who played collegiately at Tennessee from 1971-75, passed away July 25. He was 73.
Jerry Hopkins, who played linebacker collegiately at Texas A&M and in the NFL after a Texas High School Hall of Fame career, has passed away. He was 85.
Bobby Hunt, a star at Auburn and a starter for the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I, has passed away. He was 85.
David Morgan, Jr., who played both football and baseball collegiately at Harvard before being selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the MLB Draft, passed away July 25. He was 54.
Stuart Mosher, who played collegiately at Georgia from 1964-68, has passed away. He was 80.
Joe Novak, the head coach at Northern Illinois from 1996-2007 and took the Huskies to new heights, has passed away. He was 81.
Mike Schutte, a former Wyoming running back and defensive back, charter member and president of the Wyoming Chapter, and recipient of a 2002 NFF Chapter Leadership Award, passed away May 21. He was 84.
Russ Sloan, who played collegiately at Missouri and later coached at Northeast Missouri State before becoming a newspaper columnist, passed away July 17. He was 88.
Lee Welch, who played collegiately at Mississippi State from 1958-62, has passed away. He was 86.
Gary Wilson, who played collegiately at Duke and helped the Blue Devils win the 1960 Cotton Bowl, passed away June 30. He was 86.
Levi Wyatt, who played collegiately at Jackson State, passed away August 1. He was 24.
Come see Aaron Donald on Dec. 8 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino
in Las Vegas for his induction!
Donald accumulated 181 tackles during his time at Pitt, including 66 TFLs and 29.5 sacks. During his fourth collegiate season in 2013, Donald totaled 28.5 TFLs, 11 sacks, won both the Nagurski and Bednarik awards and was named an All-American. Be there with us as we induct Aaron Donald 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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