Hall of Famer Jack Youngblood Presented Award for Excellence to Student-Athlete Finalist
Yesterday, the U.S. Army and the Pro Football Hall of Fame visited Haddonfield Memorial High School in Haddonfield, N.J. to recognize Jonathan Baxter as a U.S. Army–Pro Football Hall of Fame Award for Excellence finalist. Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive end and Los Angeles Rams legend Jack Youngblood presented the prestigious award to Baxter before his classmates and family during a formal ceremony.
The Award for Excellence program highlights the achievements of student-athletes across the country. Open to all sophomore, junior and senior-level high school athletes in the United States, finalists were determined based on athletic, academic and civic achievements. Eisenbeis is among an elite group of 20 finalists who have demonstrated excellence in all they do and an understanding of the importance of adaptability and versatility when working as a team.
Youngblood discussed how teamwork, adaptability and a commitment to hard work – skills instilled in every U.S. Army Soldier – helped him achieve excellence on and off the field. “Achieving excellence is not an easy feat. You’re going to stumble. You’re going to fall down. But because you’ve got character, that will help you achieve excellence,” Youngblood said.
Each U.S. Army-Pro Football Hall of Fame Award for Excellence finalists will be honored in Canton during the 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week this summer. The finalists will be hosted at a special luncheon on Saturday, Aug. 6, at which the winner will be announced. All 20 finalists will attend the 2016 Enshrinement Ceremony of the Class of 2016 – Edward DeBartolo, Jr. Tony Dungy, Brett Favre, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace, Ken Stabler and Dick Stanfel – which is nationally televised on ESPN and the NFL Network. The finalists and winner will receive special recognition during the telecast. The weekend celebration will be capped off when the Award for Excellence finalists and their guests attend the NFL’s preseason opener between the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers in Canton on Sunday, Aug. 7.
Buffalo Bills to Retire Bruce Smith's Number
Gold Jacket and legendary Buffalo Bills defensive end Bruce Smith will have his jersey number 78 retired during the team’s home opener on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2016 against the New York Jets.
Derrick Thomas' Son Hopes to Play for Kansas City Chiefs
Former University of Akron running back Donnell Alexander doesn’t recall too much of his father’s football career, but he does understand what his dad meant to the game. Alexander, whose father is Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas, was invited to the Kansas City Chief’s rookie minicamp and is hoping to play for the same franchise as his father.