Twelve High School Football Players Receive Belated Christmas Gift From Trusted Sports

BEND, Ore., Dec. 28, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa is coming a little late for twelve inspirational high school football players this year. Trusted Sports and Daniel 'Rudy' Ruettiger announced today the top 12 finalists of the second annual High School Football Rudy Awards. Chosen from over 250 nominees, these 12 young men have inspired their teammates, coaches, and communities.  Chosen for their ability to inspire others to excellence on and off the gridiron, the finalists come from the four corners of the nation, and across the Pacific from Hawaii.  Their stories can be found at www.HighSchoolRudyAwards.com.

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"These twelve finalists are amazing! I'd like to meet each and every one of them so I can shake their hand and let them know how much they've inspired me," said Drew Bledsoe, Chairman of the Selection Committee.  "Over the Holidays I've shared some of their stories with friends and family, and we're in awe by what these kids have been through. They really honor the soul of the High School Football Rudy Awards, which is all about motivating others, and demonstrating immense courage and integrity.  Every single one of them is a 'Rudy'."  

Bledsoe heads up the selection committee that includes notable sporting personalities such as Leigh Anne Tuohy, mother of NFL player Michael Oher and inspirational figure of the film The Blind Side; Shaun Alexander, former Seattle Seahawks running back and NFL MVP; and NBC Football Sideline Reporter, Andrea Kremer.

The High School Football Rudy Awards top twelve finalists are:

• Chance Anthony of Hardinsburg, Kentucky
• Kamron Clark of Canton, South Dakota
• Kenny Daily of Bend, Oregon
• Tyler Dutruch of Slidell, Louisiana
• Jake Eilers of Breese, Illinois
• Michael Harris of Fort Worth, Texas
• Schuylar Hurd-Johnson of Indianapolis, Indiana
• Reid Layton of Seminole, Texas
• Phillip Madriaga of Aiea, Hawaii
• Cody Rye of Ironwood, Michigan
• Tray Waite of Warren, Ohio
• Kyle Wilcox of Seffner, Florida

The finalists were chosen based on their ability to inspire others, their courage and character, and their commitment to the game while overcoming personal or physical challenges.  Known by high school football coaches as the award that honors athletes for the heart they bring to the game as opposed to the stats, the final four scholarship recipients will be named on January 18, 2011. The winner will receive a $10,000 academic scholarship to a college of his choice. Two runners-up and a fan favorite determined by online voting will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.  America can vote for their favorite nominee online through January 17th.  Since voting began, nominees have tallied more than 1,350,000 votes.

About Trusted Sports

The High School Football Rudy Awards™ are operated in partnership with the Trusted Sports Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity focused on getting and keeping kids in the game. Trusted Sports empowers young athletes to live up to their full potential through positive sports experiences that form active, healthy habits for a lifetime.

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SOURCE Trusted Sports