Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE: Edition 7

History Published on : 10/31/2014
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: 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1

Family First

Recently, punter Adam Podlesh sacrificed his career in the National Football League to be by the side of his wife and newborn child. The plan during training camp between Podlesh and the Pittsburgh Steelers was that he would stay home in Florida, watch his wife deliver their second child, and then join his teammates a few days later. The labor didn’t go as planned and he began watching his wife, Miranda’s body start to give out. She went into cardiac arrest and, with a complete placental abruption, the oxygen supply to the baby inside her quickly waned.

At that moment, Adam’s football career went on hold and the fight to save his family began. Check out the video below for the full story.


Stepping In and Stepping Up

Pickett County High School in Tennessee was without a football coach and on the verge of cancelling its football program until an unlikely savior came to its rescue. Brittney Garner, a 25-year-old teacher, softball coach and now, yes, the Bobcats' head football coach. She is stepping up and making an impact. Much of what she knew about football before taking the head coaching position came from video games.

"It's more than what I thought it would be," she said. "When I play Madden, I stick with blitzing all the time. I do silly stuff. It's not the same as Madden....Whoever came up with football is a genius because there's so much that goes into it."


Roethlisberger Gives Back to Alma Mater

Shortly after throwing for over 500 yards and six touchdown passes, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger announced he will give back to his alma mater, Miami University.

Roethlisberger donated one million dollars to support Miami athletics. The donation will be used to fund an indoor sports center that will feature a full length 120-yard playing surface that will allow Miami’s sports teams to train throughout the year.

The indoor center will be named “Ben Roethlisberger Field” and will be completed this January.

Football Team Embraces Special Needs Student

Justin Olenginski, a special needs students at Dallas High School in Pennsylvania, was recently able to participate in a school sport for the first time in his life. It was a memorable night for him as he was named the football team’s honorary captain and even scored a touchdown. Check out the video below to see the entire story.


Jones to Join Seahawks Ring of Honor

Walter Jones will become the 11th member in Seattle Seahawks history to join the franchise’s Ring of Honor.


The Class of 2014 enshrinee will be honored during halftime of Sunday’s game against the Oakland Raiders.

The other member of the Seahawks Ring of Honor includes Gold Jackets Cortez Kennedy and Steve Largent, along with Dave Brown, Kenny Easley, Jacob Green, Pete Gross, Chuck Knox, Dave Krieg, Curt Warner and Jim Zorn.

Sportsmanship in the Face of Adversity

Last Friday a shooter opened fire in the Seattle-area High School of Marysville-Pilchuck killing three students and leaving three others hospitalized. That weekend Marysville-Pilchuck was scheduled to play the Oak Harbor Wildcats the WesCo North Division title in football.

The game was to be postponed. Then out of the blue, the Oak Harbor football team forfeited the game to give first place to Marysville-Pilchuck in a gesture of sportsmanship that defines the character football instills. 

In recognition of this selfless act, the Seattle Seahawks extended invitations to both Marysville-Pilchuck and Oak Harbor High Schools to practice at their training facility in Renton, Washington.

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Gridiron to Capitol Hill

The values learned from the Game often transfer well to the political arena. Many NFL legends, including Hall of Famer Steve Largent, have embarked on political careers after their playing days.
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Michael Strahan to Receive Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence

Michael Strahan will receive his Kay® Jewelers Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence during the New York Giants Week 9 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday, Nov. 3 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.