Good morning, football fans! Have you submitted your “I Played” story yet?

Urban Meyer — head coach, Bowling Green

Larry Korver — head coach, Northwestern College (Iowa)

Terrence Metcalf — offensive line, Ole Miss

In the latest episode of the Good in the Game Podcast, two legends of Happy Valley sit down for an in-depth interview as host LaVar Arrington is joined by 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Nominee Ki-Jana Carter. The guys discuss how Ki-Jana got to Penn State growing up in Ohio, almost leaving Happy Valley during his freshman year, the 1994 undefeated Penn State team and what the game has done for him in his life.

Join us to celebrate college football legends at one of the sport's grandest traditions!

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.

Army football safety Larry Pickett Jr. was in the right place at the right time over the weekend, helping to pull a man from a burning car.

📰: Army football player saves man from burning car: ‘What if we got there just a minute later?’
^{The Athletic}

📰: Head Games: A Data Dive Into Lee Corso’s Mascot Picks
^Sportico

📰: Bill Belichick Needed a Crash Course in College Football. He Got It by Studying a 6-Win Team.
^{The Wall Street Journal}

📰: Michael Vick kicks off coaching career close to home at Norfolk State: ‘It’s just in me’
^{The Athletic}

Lee Roy Jordan, a 1983 College Football Hall of Fame inductee and a 1962 unanimous All-America center at Alabama, passed away Aug. 30. He was 84.

"Lee Roy Jordan was one of the truly great players of his era at Alabama, helping create critical momentum for the legendary career of Hall of Fame coach Bear Bryant," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "His toughness, leadership and consistency made him the kind of player every coach wanted, and every teammate respected. He was a wonderful person, and we are forever proud to call him a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Our deepest condolences to his family, friends and the entire Alabama community."

Click here to read more about the life and legacy of Lee Roy Jordan.

Paul Ingrassia, who played on the offensive line at Penn State in the early 1990s, passed away Aug. 19 after suffering injuries in a mountain climbing accident. He was 50.

Marcus Dickey, a former defensive lineman at Nicholls State and current Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College player, tragically passed away Aug. 24 in a car accident. He was 22.

Name: Rick George
College: University of Illinois (1978-82)
Now: University of Colorado Athletic Director

How has football impacted your life?
“My experience playing football allowed me to achieve incredible opportunities as I’ve gone on my journey in life.”

Share your football story with us! We want to know what football means to you, the lessons you learned, and the opportunities it provided.

During the 2025 Campbell Trophy Summit at Stanford July 25, the NFF hosted a panel with:

Mehdi Alhassani: Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Palantir Technologies

Denis McDonough: Former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Former White House Chief of Staff to President Barack Obama; All-conference defensive back, Saint John's University (MN)

Keenan Reynolds: Deployment Strategist, Palantir Technologies; Former starting quarterback, U.S. Naval Academy; Three-year NFL veteran

The conversation touched on the importance of teamwork, trust, and overcoming challenges, drawing parallels between sports and leadership in public service. The session concluded with a Q&A session, focusing on the transition from sports to leadership roles and the importance of structure and team dynamics.

September 24 — Announcement of the 2025 Campbell Trophy® Semifinalists

October 22 — Announcement of the 2025 Campbell Trophy® Finalists and the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments

December 9 — 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas at Bellagio Resort & Casino

December 9 — Announcement of the winner of the 36th NFF William V. Campbell Trophy® during the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas

January 19, 2026 — CFP National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

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