NFL & Hispanic Heritage Foundation Announce Second Annual ‘Latino Youth Honors’ Initiative
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - OCTOBER 08: The NFL logo is pictured on a Wilson brand football before the game between the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers at Ford Field on October 08, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have announced the second annual ‘NFL Latino Youth Honors’ recognizing outstanding high school tackle and flag football athletes from around the country. The initiative is meant to celebrate seniors across NFL club markets who excel both in the classroom and on the football field.
“The NFL and Hispanic Heritage Foundation have a rich history of celebrating excellence within Latino communities and the ‘NFL Latino Youth Honors’ program is the perfect way to commemorate Latino students and their inspiring stories, as well as motivate future fans and athletes of this great sport,” said Marissa Solis, NFL Senior VP/Global Brand & Consumer Marketing. “The program was a huge success in its inaugural season a year ago and, with Procter & Gamble’s participation, we will elevate the ‘NFL Latino Youth Honors’ to new heights.”
All 32 teams can select a male and female high school senior football player to represent their team and submit these student-athletes to be considered for this year’s program. Eight seniors will receive a grant that can used for college, including $25,000 grants for both the male and female national winners and $5,000 grants for each of the six other finalists. Those eight finals will also get to attend Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, as well as attend NFL Honors in the week leading up to the Super Bowl – which is where the two national winners will be announced.
“Our partnership with the NFL has always focused on highlighting impactful Latinos and the ‘NFL Latino Youth Honors’ program does exactly that, celebrating the many talents and achievements of young Latinos who are outstanding student-athletes on the field and in the classroom, as well as leaders in their community,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. “We look forward to another year of honoring these inspiring Latinos from the league’s 32 club markets while motivating the next generation of Latino talent to aspire for a brighter future.”
In its inaugural edition, in 2023, the winner was Peter Gonzalez, a standout football player at Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.