NFL Latino Youth Honors Announces Finalists and National Winner
Congratulations to National winner Peter Jaden Gonzalez pictured with Lu Yarbrough III, Antonio Tijerino and actress Francia Raisa
The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation have a great history of celebrating excellence within Latino communities and this year’s program celebrates high school seniors from across NFL club markets who excel both in the classroom and on the field.
Earlier this season, NFL teams were invited to submit exemplary student-athletes to be considered for this year’s program. As part of the selection process, students were identified and nominated by many of the league’s clubs, leading to 56 remarkable nominees, many of whom were honored during Latino Heritage Month events in club markets…¡Por la Cultura!
The NFL Latino Youth Honors recognize outstanding high school tackle and flag football athletes from around the country for their academic and athletic excellence. A panel of NFL and HHF staff then convened to select eight outstanding finalists, who will each receive a grant award that can be used for college.
Eight outstanding finalists – one for each of the NFL’s eight divisions – were selected from the 56 student-athletes that were nominated by their local NFL clubs, but Peter Jaden Hernandez of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was named the national winner at last night’s celebration.
“NFL Latino Youth Honors” finalists are listed below:
· AFC NORTH: Peter Jaden Gonzalez, Pittsburgh, PA, nominated by the Pittsburgh Steelers
· AFC SOUTH: Brictani Platas, Jacksonville, FL, nominated by the Jacksonville Jaguars
· AFC EAST: Natalia Lopez, Oakland Park, FL, nominated by the Miami Dolphins
· AFC WEST: Jeilani Davis, Inglewood, CA, nominated by the Los Angeles Chargers
· NFC NORTH: Yeniah Matos Delgado, Cicero, IL, nominated by the Chicago Bears
· NFC SOUTH: Gabriela Ruiz, Tampa, FL, nominated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
· NFC EAST: Juan Minaya, Newark, NJ, nominated by the New York Giants
· NFC WEST: Julian Rodriguez, Gilroy, CA, nominated by the San Francisco 49ers
The eight finalists will each receive a grant award that can be used for college and are participating in a variety of special events taking place in Las Vegas during Super Bowl LVIII Week, presented by Nationwide. Activities will be designed to provide mentorship, guidance and resources to pursue careers in professional sports.
