NEW YORK — Dec. 18, 2023 — The National Football League and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) announced the inaugural “NFL Latino Youth Honors,” recognizing outstanding high school tackle and flag football athletes from around the country for their academic and athletic excellence. Eight of these exemplary student-athletes were announced today as finalists, representing each of the eight league divisions.
The NFL and the HHF have a rich history of celebrating excellence within Latino communities, and this year’s program is fully focused on honoring outstanding Latino youth football players. This initiative celebrates high school seniors from across NFL club markets who excel in the classroom and on the football field.
Photo Cred: Hispanic Heritage Foundation
“The NFL is proud to again join forces with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation in the launch of this year’s ‘NFL Latino Youth Honors,’ where Latino students and their inspiring stories will motivate the next generation of fans and athletes of this great sport,” said Marissa Solis, NFL Senior VP/Global Brand & Consumer Marketing. “This initiative underscores the league’s commitment to fostering excellence, nurturing the next generation of football players and fans, and recognizing the outstanding contributions of Latino youth within the NFL community and beyond.”
Earlier this season, all 32 NFL teams were invited to submit exemplary student-athletes to be considered for this year’s program. As part of the selection process and after receiving hundreds of applications between August and October, a total of two students (one male and one female) were identified and nominated by many of the league’s 32 clubs. The selection criteria for the “NFL Latino Youth Honors” program includes:
- Being a Latino/Hispanic High School Senior.
- A flag or tackle football player.
- Based in or near the 32 NFL team markets.
- Be in good academic standing (minimum GPA 3.0).
- Must demonstrate commitment to his/her community.
- Verifiable football stats (season and career), with designation of tackle or flag.
This selection process led to 56 remarkable student-athletes being nominated for the 2023 NFL Latino Youth Honors, many of whom were honored and celebrated locally during Latin Heritage Month events held by their nominating teams. Once the NFL and HHF received all nominations, a panel convened to choose eight outstanding finalists — each representing a club market.
Photo Cred: Latino Leaders
The eight finalists will each receive a grant award that can be used for college and are set to participate in a variety of special events taking place in Las Vegas during Super Bowl LVIII Week, presented by Nationwide. Activities will be designed to provide mentorship, guidance and resources to pursue careers in professional sports. During that week, the NFL and HHF will also announce the national winner, with the recipient receiving an invitation to HHF’s National Youth Awards ceremony later in 2024.
“In partnership with the NFL, we are thrilled to announce the ‘NFL Latino Youth Honors’ program, celebrating the many talents and achievements of young Latinos who are not only exceptional athletes, but also outstanding students and leaders,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of HHF. “We look forward to discovering and celebrating Latino talent throughout the league’s 32 club markets while highlighting the bright future that lies ahead.”
To find out more about this year’s eight “NFL Latino Youth Honors” finalists and their full bios, click here.
Photo Cred: NFL Football Operations
