National Football Foundation dinner a success

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The National Football Foundation dinner was held at the Purdue Memorial Union.

Several area high school football players were recognized for accomplishments on and off the field as well as several Purdue Greats.

A good crowd was on hand for Thursday night’s dinner.

For the 3rd time in 4 years, a West Lafayette Red Devil won the NFF Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. Congratulations to Dayton Snyder. This award is for a graduating high school senior football player who exemplifies excellence as a student, athlete, and citizen. Scholarship money is provided.

Central Catholics Danny Anthrop was announced as the first recipient of the Courage Award and Denny Miller was presented with the Legends Award for his outstanding services during his time at Purdue.

The Courage Award is given to an athlete who has exemplified courage by surviving extreme personal hardship or difficulty or who has assisted someone else in doing the same.

The Legends award is intended for a person who has given tirelessly and effectively throughout his or her career for the betterment of the game and its participants, without being a player or coach.

Other awards given at the dinner include:

Drew Brees Mental Toughness award – Robbie Hummel

College Football Hall of Fame Selectee – Otis Armstrong

"I'm excited because I know I'm going to be a part of history now and folklore and I'm looking forward to my grandchildren talking to me about it. That's our dad, our papa and I'm looking forward to that," said Armstrong.

IFCA Service to Football Award – Arnette Tiller

Induction of Indiana Football Hall of Famers – Frank O’Shea, retired high school coach
                                                                                   Joe Tiller, retired Purdue coach

"There are so many people that you would want to thank that you couldn't go through them all. The assistant coaches I have worked with, and the players. I guess it just shows you that if you stay in it long enough they do something to try and get you out of it," said O'Shea.

"For me, it's a great honor to represent Purdue University and to be able to go into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame," said Tiller.