Scholar-Leader-Athlete
Awards
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| These athletes are selected from a group of outstanding
nominees from San Diego area high schools, colleges, and universities
by the Awards Committee of this chapter. The schools are contacted,
and recommendations from principals and football coaches, along
with grade transcripts, are considered. A scholastic average
of 3.0 or better is one of the requirements for consideration
for this award. The student must have also received All-League
honors as a football player. Citizenship on and off the campus
is a third consideration in the selection process. |
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Willie
Jones Most Inspirational Player Award
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In June 1994, Willie Jones had everything going
for him. He was young, handsome, intelligent and had been awarded
a four-year scholarship to Cornell University. Then, on the
terrible, tragic night of June 17, a sudden act of violence
ended those dreams and the promise he offered not only to us,
but to the world he would have served.
We at the Walter J. Zable/San Diego Chapter of the National
Football Foundation vowed that Willie would not be forgotten.
We could think of no more fitting nor more deserved honor than
to name our Most Inspirational Player Award in his memory. We
hope that, by reminding ourselves of our loss, we will be inspired
to overcome with courage the adversity we face in our own lives.
At the same time, we hope his memory will inspire us to the
kind of excellence he strived to attain.
Willie Jones was 18 years old when he was taken from us. He
had a smile as big as all outdoors. Everyone who met him loved
him. He was a graduate with a 3.97 grade point average. He was
the student council president, captain of his school's wrestling
team, and had been awarded a four-year scholarship to Cornell
University, where he planned to study to become a doctor. His
mother, Rosetta Jones, said she and her husband, Willie, are
extremely proud that the chapter has named its Most Inspirational
Player Award after their son. |
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