NFL passes out golden footballs

The NFL is championing this week at Super Bowl 50 by donating $1 million in support of its high school honor roll program. Honored schools receive a new character education curriculum and have the opportunity to apply for football grants up to $5,000. 

 

Forty-eight states also received a golden football this year, sent to the high school of every player or head coach who was on an active roster in one of the previous 49 Super Bowls. 

 

The high schools in Las Vegas that received golden footballs: Bonanza, Western, Cimarron-Memorial and Valley.

 

The only two states that have yet to produce a Super Bowl player or head coach? New Hampshire and Vermont.

 

The state with the most schools receiving golden footballs? California, with 296.

 

The state with the most golden footballs received: California, with 432.

 

The country outside the United States receiving the most golden footballs: Canada, with 15.

 

The high school that received the most golden footballs: Memorial of Port Arthur, Texas, with eight.

 

The NFL team with the most player and coaches honored: New England.

 

Which begs the question: Does gold deflate as quickly as leather?

 

* QUOTES TO NOTE — Carolina quarterback Cam Newton on being a role model: “Whether I want it or not, the position that I’m in, I’m given a stage and what I do on that stage means a lot because for people who I’m going to actually meet and for people that’s watching this live and saying, ‘Damn, Cam’s cool.’ For these same people that are saying, ‘Hell, I hate Cam,’ either way, I’m going to stay true to who I am and try to fulfill the things that are important to me.”

 

Denver coach Gary Kubiak on hearing former Raiders star quarterback Ken Stabler, who died in July from colon cancer, suffered from the brain disorder CTE: “I’d be wrong to comment on that. I don’t have enough information regarding that type of thing. Obviously I have great respect for Ken. I got to know him as a young man when he was in Houston playing there, and me and (defensive coordinator) Wade (Phillips) were talking about him this morning. Other than that, I have great respect for him as a player back in his day. I have no further comment on that.”

 

* COMING TODAY — One of the more anticipated press conferences of the week will be held with the band set to perform at halftime on Sunday when Coldplay meets the assembled media.

 

One of the first questions for the British band might be to name a favorite player, and it’s a good bet Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas won’t make the cut.

 

When asked his favorite Coldplay song at media night on Monday, Thomas responded: “Who?”

 

Ed Graney can be reached at egraney@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-4618. He can be a heard on “Seat and Ed” on Fox Sports 1340 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. On Twitter: @edgraney