Celebrate Excellence EVERYWHERE: Edition 2

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!

Love of the Game

Although the Game has been under attack recently, the fact remains that the NFL is more popular than ever! DYK? Pro football has been the most popular sport in the United States for the past half century! Why does this country love the game so much? An eloquent answer can be found here.

The Golden Cause

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers represents green and gold on the football field, but during the month of September the color gold has another special meaning to him.

Annie Bartosz, a sixth-grader from Hartland, Wisconsin, lost her brother Jack to pediatric cancer a few years ago. During Jack’s fight, he and Rodgers developed a special relationship and became close friends.

In honor of her brother, Annie helped create the “Gold In September” campaign, which encourages people to wear gold to raise awareness for pediatric cancer.

Excellence transfers to off the field

The Game offers so much to those who have participated in it. That’s why it is not at all surprising that the Gold Jackets (living Hall of Famers) have success in life, long after they’ve left the playing field. The lessons learned from football transfer to all areas of life.

Tomorrow, the legendary Jim Brown will receive the presitigous Muhammad Ali Lifetime Humanitarian Achievement Award in Louisville, Ky. Check out the story>>>


Another Gold Jacket, wide receiver Cris Carter, was featured in a column on SI.com last Monday that focused on his excellence in broadcasting. The Class of 2013 enshrinee explained what has driven him to achieve a level of greatness in front of the camera.

Tears of Greatness

A dedication in Marshall, Texas took place earlier this week that brought Hall of Fame quarterback Y.A. Tittle to tears.The great Hall of Fame QB’s name has been placed on his high school’s fieldhouse. Tittle graduated from Marshall High School in 1944 before embarking on a legendary career with the San Francisco 49ers and New York Giants that landed him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971.



For younger fans, here’s a bit of historical perspective on Tittle’s level of excellence on the football field. While much attention, justly deserved, was placed on Peyton Manning’s exploits last season when he threw for an NFL record 55 TDs at the age of 37, it was Tittle who accomplished the same feat a half century ago. A 37-year-old Tittle set the NFL mark with 36 touchdown passes for the Giants in 1963. It was a mark that stood for 21 seasons.

Go Bears!

Andre Reed was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in August, and received his Hall of Fame Ring of Excellence by Kay® Jewelers last Sunday. On Tuesday, he captained a team that won the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Golf Classic charity event in Canton.

In October, his excellence will again be recognized when his alma mater renames its stadium after the legendary receiver. Kutztown (Pa.) University announced that on Oct. 18, the venue will be renamed Andre Reed Stadium.

Ray Guy Day

Reed’s fellow classmate from the Hall’s Class of 2014 will be the center of attention on Saturday as the Southern Miss Department of Athletics holds “Ray Guy Day” as the school opens its Conference USA schedule against Rice.

Video: Last night Ray Guy spoke to the @SouthernMissFB team about what it means to wear the Black & Gold - https://t.co/8nZl2XCSvy #SMTTT

— Southern Miss Sports (@USMGoldenEagles) September 26, 2014

Another Class of 2014 enshrinee, linebacker Derrick Brooks, was busy this week using his platform as a Gold Jacket to make his community stronger. He spoke to 500 guests at a Pinellas County Urban League gala and urged those on hand to invest in children and community service.

Two days after Brooks was elected to the Hall of Fame last February, he vowed to use his fame for the better good. Shortly thereafter he launched a charter school for children in need.

Jetting off to Haiti

The New York Jets squad has one thing on their minds this week - beating the Detroit Lions. However, Jets wide receiver David Nelson has a few other thoughts as well. In 2012, Nelson volunteered to help the people of Haiti after a deadly earthquake hit the island. His mission trip forever changed his outlook on life.
 

David Nelson, a WR for the @NYJets, is raising 9 orphans in Haiti with his brother. Here’s the heartwarming story -> http://t.co/OVstzisYly

— ESPN (@espn) September 23, 2014

 
David and his brother Patrick co-founded "i’mME" in 2013, a non-profit organization that provides families to help nurture and care for orphans living in Haiti. The foundation also creates after school programs that introduce children to art, music, writing, sports and dance, opportunities they otherwise would never be able to experience.

Taking off my helmet & giving u an insight to my heart. Checkout my letter to our kids- http://t.co/VkiNPDhPtQ pic.twitter.com/cDFmayh9DN

— David Nelson (@DavidNelson86) September 15, 2014

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