The U.S. Army and the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the sixth year of their partnership on the national U.S. Army – Pro Football Hall of Fame Award for Excellence. The program is currently accepting nominations and is open to all sophomore, junior and senior high school student-athletes in the United States.
The Award for Excellence program recognizes 25 outstanding high school student-athletes who are chosen as finalists based on their excellence in academics, athletics and community service.
“This program recognizes student-athletes who not only excel athletically and academically, but they are leaders in their communities,” said Mark Davis, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for marketing. "Like our Soldiers, they understand the importance of leadership, teamwork and strive to be something more by doing more, not just for themselves but for their team, family and community."
"The Award for Excellence program celebrates the achievements of extraordinary high school-aged individuals who will shape the future of our country," said David Baker, the Pro Football Hall of Fame's president & CEO. "The Pro Football Hall of Fame appreciates the U.S. Army's support and commitment in shining the light on the values shared by these great young people and our Hall of Famers."
This spring, each finalist will be honored by Army Soldiers and a Gold Jacket (a term used to refer to living members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame) during an event at his or her high school. Next August, all 25 finalists will convene in Canton, Ohio, for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls. The finalists will be honored throughout the festivities, including the Hall of Fame Game, the NFL’s preseason opener. The 2018 Award for Excellence winner will be selected during a special recognition on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018. He or she will receive a $2,500 grant from the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will also be recognized during the Enshrinement Ceremony.
The following Gold Jackets have participated in past Award for Excellence ceremonies across the country: JOHN RANDLE, KELLEN WINSLOW, AENEAS WILLIAMS, ANDRE REED, MIKE HAYNES, JAMES LOFTON, BRUCE MATTHEWS, MARSHALL FAULK, DERRICK BROOKS, DARRELL GREEN, THURMAN THOMAS, ANTHONY MUÑOZ, MICHAEL IRVIN, JEROME BETTIS, JOE DELAMIELLEURE, BOB GRIESE, FLOYD LITTLE, BARRY SANDERS, ART SHELL, LYNN SWANN and ROD WOODSON.
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