By Will Cummings
Hit News @ Hit Highlights.com

Never Forget!

   As the beginning of another football season approaches, Hit News honors, pays tribute and says thanks to all the former great high school warriors that helped to establish the standards of excellence and enhanced the rich tradition of high school football in the State of Nebraska. 

    We often let slip through our conscience minds the memories and history of the great football players that were produced in the classrooms, gyms and fields of Nebraska high schools. Fortunately, the accolades, awards and accomplishment of many of these outstanding players are captured forever in the record books and on displays in the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame. 

Nebraska High School Sports Hall Of Fame  

    The Nebraska High School Hall Of Fame was originally established in 1993 to recognize and to preserve the accomplishment of Nebraska high school athletes, coaches, officials, contributors, and teams. There are currently over 240 inductees and all inductees are required to go through a nomination process that will not commence until after the waiting period for their category has been reached, for example, 

An athlete or team must wait 15 years after their graduation to be considered for nomination into the Hall. And a coach must have coached for at least 20 years in  Nebraska school system and be retired or at least 60 years of age to be considered. There are similar requirements for the other categories of inductees.

Football Players in the Nebraska HS Sports Hall Of Fame

    The following is a listing of some of the more recognizable names of the state’s outstanding high school football players that have been inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall Of Fame: 

Gayle Sayers

Niles Kinnick

On the left is Nebraska High School Sports Hall Of Fame Inductees Nile Kinnick, 1939 Heisman Trophy winner and on the right Gayle Sayers, All-Pro running back and NFL Hall Of Fame Inductee.   Click on name to read bio

The above list only represents a few of the greats that graced the Nebraska gridirons. And remember—there are many more to follow. You can check out all the inductees and read their bios by visiting the official web site of  Nebraska High School Sports Hall Of Fame.

  
More Nebraska Glory

    Nebraska high schools are truly steep in the tradition of producing some of the finest football players in the country: 

From left to right: Johnny Rodgers, Omaha Tech HS, 1972 Heisman Trophy winner; Eric Crouch, Millard North HS, 2001 Heisman Trophy winner, Walter Camp Award (’01) and Davey O’ Brien Award (’01); Danny Woodhead, North Platte HS, 2x Harlon Hill Trophy winner (’06, ’07) and the NCAA all divisions all-time college career rushing leader with 7,871 yards.

             

Above: Dave Rimington, Omaha South HS, is flanked by the two Outland Trophies that he won in  ’81 and ’82 and to the right is the Rotary Lombardi Award he won in ’82. Dave Rimington still remains to be the only man to ever win the Outland Trophy twice. Befittingly, in honor of  a pilayer so dominate at his position, there is now a national award named after Dave Rimington. The Rimington Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s top center. Bottom center is a photo of the Rimington Trophy.                            

Above: Ahman Green, Omaha Central HS 2x All-Pro (’01, ’03) 4x Pro Bowl Selection (’01-’04), and one of only two players in NFL history to have 2 touchdown runs of more than 90 yards.

    So high school ballers, before you strap on your helmets to take the field, pause for a second to reflect on the past of those that have gone before you,  and be proudful that you are carrying on the storied tradition of Nebraska high school football.

     “Hopefully, you will honor the past glory by giving it all that you have in the present.”

 Nebraska High School Football truly represents “The heart and soul of the game.”