Teacher wins initial 'Awards of Character' recognition

General Published on : 2/28/2026

Teacher Mary Crippen recognized as ‘Everyday Hall of Famer’

Pinecrest (Florida) Elementary School third grade teacher Mary Crippen has been recognized for her efforts and creativity in the classroom as the initial Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards of Character recipient. 

The Pro Football Hall of Fame, in partnership with USA TODAY and Payton Productions, launched the national Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards of Character program to applaud “everyday Hall of Famers” who embody the Hall’s core values of commitment, integrity, courage, respect and honesty.

Crippen (center in the image above) learned of her award with a surprise visit to her classroom that was modeled after the iconic “Knock on the Door” moment when new members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame learn of their election to Canton. Class of 1998 enshrinee DWIGHT STEPHENSON participated in the surprise award presentation along with Brittney and Jarrett Payton, the children of Hall of Famer WALTER PAYTON.

Crippen’s nomination, submitted by her family, described her as “the epitome of goodness.” 

Upon receiving the award, Crippen told Brittney Payton she hoped her students learn “that anything can happen. No matter what the odds; no matter what people tell you is going to happen. If people don’t have a seat at the table for you, then you take your own chair and make yourself a seat at the table.”
 
Pinecrest (Florida) Elementary School third grade teacher Mary Crippen has been recognized for her efforts and creativity in the classroom as the initial Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards of Character recipient.

Crippen, whose school is part of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools district, often uses the sport of football and its teams to teach lessons in math, geography and language arts. Her lessons routinely blend division standings, weekly matchups and game predictions with core academic skills.

USA TODAY, the national publication in the Gannett | USA TODAY Network portfolio, assists in administering the program and publicizing the monthly winners. A feature story about Crippen published Saturday, Feb. 28, in the USA TODAY newspaper and online, and it also will appear in USA TODAY-affiliated publications across the country.

Payton Productions, the media company led by the Payton Family, will capture the moments when the honorees learn of their selection and, in partnership with USA TODAY, will share the award-winners’ inspiring stories of character in action nationally.

“At the Pro Football Hall of Fame, we celebrate more than the game itself. We also celebrate the values that make the game great,” said Jim Porter, president & CEO of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. “This Awards of Character will allow us to recognize the everyday heroes in our communities who demonstrate those same values in powerful and lasting ways, and Mary — with the tremendous efforts she is making with her students — makes an ideal selection for the first award recipient.”

A video featuring Brittney and Jarrett Payton explaining the awards can be viewed here or below. Additional honorees will be chosen throughout 2026, from these professions: police officer, military veteran, firefighter/EMT, nurse, teacher and coach. For more information or to nominate someone for the award, see this online form.