Scholar-Leader-Athlete
Award
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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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