Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE: Edition 3

The mission of the Pro Football Hall of Fame is to Honor the Heroes of the Game, Preserve its History, Promote its Values, Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE. Each Friday, ProFootballHOF.com features stories from the football world and beyond that illustrate the celebration of excellence!

Archived Editions: 2 | 1

Allentown names street and park after Reed

Gold Jacket Andre Reed’s life has been a whirlwind ever since being elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February. Last week, the tributes to one of the Game’s greatest continued when the city of Allentown, Pa. declared that a park and street will now bear Reed’s name.


“We may never see another football player, or other athlete, of his magnitude being honored again in the city of Allentown, and never has it happened before," stated Councilman Daryl Hendricks.

Andre Reed Way will be a stretch of Washington Street in which his alma mater, Dieruff High School, is located. In April, Reed visited the high school to celebrate his election to the Hall of Fame. The school’s alumni association raised $10,000 to send four buses of students and alum to Canton for Reed’s enshrinement on Aug. 2.

Autism Speaks

Do you know someone that illustrates the celebration of excellence from the football world and beyond? Tell us by using our social media handle @ProFootballHOF and the story could be included in our weekly series.

Nearly 1,000 people will converge on the Hall of Fame campus on Sunday, Oct. 5 for the Stark County Walk Now for the Autism Speaks fundraising and awareness event. The day’s activities include a one-mile walk; community resource fair with area vendors offering food and kid-friendly activities, and information on local autism services; and Disney Princesses, local sports mascots, entertainment, including music, dancing and exercise instruction; and admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

All proceeds from Sunday’s event support Autism Speaks, both locally and nationally. For more information, please visit: AutismSpeaks.org

Love of the Game

USA Football recently profiled Lakeland (Mich.) High School senior Josh Bailey who was diagnosed with autism as a child. He has dedicated himself to the Game that has helped him overcome obstacles in life.

“People can call me an inspiration, but I’m just living my dream,” he said. “I got through a lot and I’m still here standing. I may fall but I will not give up. I will keep rising again.”

Ditka on the run!

 Thousands of runners and walkers gathered at Soldier Field in Chicago last Saturday to participate in the Ditka Dash. The 5K run helps raise funds for the Special Olympics in Chicago.

Best race day giveaway in Chicago this AM for the #DitkaDash pic.twitter.com/dBUwskAYxi (H/T @MsAmberKing)

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) September 27, 2014

The run was hosted by Mike Ditka, the longtime Bears coach and former player. In 1988, Ditka became the first tight end ever elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Jan hosts guests from Norway

Gold Jacket Jan Stenerud grew up in Norway and never saw a football until his college days. Last Monday, he welcomed two strangers from his hometown to join him at the Kansas City Chiefs’ thrilling win over the New England Patriots.

A teenage boy and his father were the guest of the Hall of Fame plackicker. Stenerud noted that it was the first time that someone from his hometown has seen a game at Arrowhead since his parents visited four decades ago!

Check out this story from the Kansas City Star to find out how 14-year-old Jorgen Gulbrandsen from Fetsund, Norway was invited to join Stenerud in Kansas City.