Edmonson County (KY) High School Wins Inaugural "Fight Like Dylan Award"

BOWLING GREEN, Ky., Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Russell Athletic announced today that Edmonson County High School in Brownsville, KY, has been named winner of the inaugural "Fight Like Dylan Award," which memorializes the late Dylan Rebeor of Columbia, TN, a high school football player who waged a valiant battle with colon cancer, while putting his teammates and others before himself, prior to succumbing to the disease at the age of 16.  Edmonson County High School's football team, who banded together to find success following the news of three-year starting offensive lineman Jacob Irwin being diagnosed with cancer during his senior season in 2010, will receive a $50,000 uniform and equipment grant from Russell Athletic and be honored at today's Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl in Phoenix.

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"The situation Edmonson County High School, its football team and, of course, Jacob's family, faced was certainly tragic, but how they came together was nothing short of inspirational," said Gary Barfield, executive vice president, Russell Brands, LLC.  "We're moved by how everyone affected by the loss of Jacob rallied together to support each other and we're grateful to have the opportunity to honor the memory of Dylan Rebeor, while also paying forward Dylan's selflessness to Edmonson County High School community."

Irwin's perseverance and determination to beat the disease that ultimately claimed his life in July 2011, as well as his warm-heartedness and generous personality, set the tone for the 2011 Edmonson County High School team, who drew on his strength as they finished their regular season 10-0 for only the second time in school history (1976) and claimed their first district championship since 1986.  Edmonson County High School was selected from a pool of nominees as the inaugural "Fight Like Dylan Award" winner by a panel of judges including former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy, Cleveland Browns quarterback Colt McCoy, as well as Dylan's mother Heather Rebeor and his former head football coach at Columbia Central High School, Vance Belew. 

"Hearing Jacob's story and then learning how Edmonson County High School, the football team and even the community all bonded together was uplifting," said Heather Rebeor, Dylan's mother.  "I hope Jacob's memory lives on and he, like Dylan, continues to serve as a reminder to those he touched to never give up when facing difficult challenges."

Earlier this year, Russell Athletic announced it would honor a team who overcame a challenge in the face of true adversity while reflecting the ideals and spirit that Rebeor demonstrated in his own life.  Rebeor, a wide receiver on Columbia Central High School's football team, died in Dec. 2010, just hours before his team won their first state championship in 58 years.  Reflective of Rebeor's character and consideration of others, rather than asking the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a trip to Hawaii, or the opportunity to meet his favorite athlete, his final, selfless desire was for his beloved team to receive brand new uniforms and equipment for the 2011 season.  Upon learning of Rebeor's courage, strength and selflessness, Russell Athletic made a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in his honor and established the "Fight Like Dylan Award" in his memory.

To be eligible for the "Fight Like Dylan Award", teams were asked to post a submission on the Russell Athletic Facebook page explaining how they overcame a challenge or significant adversity while embodying the spirit and courage represented by Dylan Rebeor in his battle against cancer.  The "Fight Like Dylan Award" will return in 2012.  More information and details, including contest rules, will be posted on the Russell Athletic Facebook page later this year.

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The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, airing on CBS Sports Network Jan. 3, 2012, at 4 p.m. MST, from Phoenix, showcases athletes who embody the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment. To learn more about the Semper Fidelis Bowl visit http://www.semperfidelisbowl.com.

About RUSSELL ATHLETIC

For more than 100 years, Russell Athletic, a division of Russell Brands, LLC, has supplied America's athletes and teams with the latest innovations to help them perform at their best and is a leading supplier of team uniforms at the high school, college and professional levels. Russell Athletic's active wear and collegiate licensed products are broadly distributed and marketed through department stores, sports specialty stores, retail chains and college bookstores. For more information, please visit www.RussellAthletic.com.

About the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl

The Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, proudly presented by JuniorRank Sports and the United States Marine Corps, will air on CBS Sports Network Jan. 3, 2012, at 4 p.m. MST, from Phoenix. One hundred of the nation's elite high school football players will face off in a traditional East versus West gridiron matchup, showcasing athletes who embody the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment. The Proving Ground Football Combine, airing Jan. 2, 2012, at 1 p.m. MST, on CBS Sports Network, will give viewers the chance to watch 400 of the country's best high school football stars participate in skills competitions, showing a national audience why these impressive athletes comprise the next generation of collegiate football talent.

SOURCE Russell Athletic