Manatee Schools Earn Golden Footballs

BRADENTON, FL — Three Manatee County high schools have golden footballs to add to their trophy cases courtesy of the NFL.

The golden footballs were recently presented to the schools as part of the NFL’s Super Bowl High School Honor Roll. That program recognizes high schools that have made contributions to the NFL and the Super Bowl by nurturing players that would gone day go on to play in the big game.

Lakewood Ranch, Manatee and Southeast high schools were all recently presented with the Wilson golden footballs. A football was distributed “for each player who graduated from the school and was on an active Super Bowl roster,” the school district explained in an email to media.

Across the country, Florida had the third highest number of golden footballs presented at 218. California came in first with 432 and Texas second with 326.

The Manatee County high schools presented with golden footballs and the players they honor are:

Lakewood Ranch High School

• Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (Cardinals, Super Bowl XLIII; Broncos, XLVIII)

Manatee High School

• Henry Lawrence (Raiders, Super Bowl XI, XV, XVIII)
• Tyrone Williams (Packers, Super Bowl XXXI, XXXII)
• Alvoid Mays (Redskins, Super Bowl XXVI)

Southeast High School

• Peter Warrick (Seahawks, Super Bowl XL)

The honor also paves the way for the schools to apply for grants of up to $5,000 to support their football programs and educational curriculum, the school district said.

Photo courtesy of Manatee High School

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