NFL Way to Play Youth Awards
The weekly NFL Way to Play awards celebrate the best examples of playing technique from high school and NFL FLAG players.
The NFL Way to Play youth awards recognize the excellence demonstrated by youth players who exemplify proper technique to make impactful plays.
Through this initiative, and in partnership with Hudl and NFL FLAG, players will be honored each week during the regular NFL season for demonstrating exceptional in-game playing technique.
Beginning in the 2021 season, the NFL Way to Play High School Award expanded to include the NFL Canada Way to Play Award and an NFL FLAG Player of the Week.
NFL Way to Play High School Award
The NFL Way to Play High School Award is featured nationally on Thursdays on NFL Network's Good Morning Football, and the school of each honoree will receive a $3,000 equipment grant through USA Football.
A panel of representatives from the NFL Football Operations Department selects the player who most positively impacted the game through proper technique:
- Phil Bogle – 2-year NFL guard, Director of Game Operations
- Kevin Boothe – 9-year NFL offensive lineman, Director of Labor Operations, Management Council
- Jay Manahan – Director of Player Communications
- Jon Runyan – 14-year NFL offensive tackle, Vice President of Policy and Rules Administration
- Bobby Taylor – 10-year NFL cornerback, Strategic Advisor for Football Development
- Troy Vincent – 15-year NFL cornerback, Executive Vice President of Football Operations
High School Award Recipients
2023 Week 17 Way to Play High School Award – Sam Sims
2023 Week 16 Way to Play High School Award – Zion Graham
2023 Week 15 Way to Play High School Award – Josiah Heald
NFL FLAG Player of the Week
As an introduction to the NFL Way to Play, the NFL is recognizing one NFL FLAG player each week for demonstrating proper playing technique. Developing proper playing technique and good habits at the NFL FLAG level prepares players to excel in FLAG or make the transition to tackle. Players are evaluated on flag pulling, rushing, footwork, discipline and vision.
The NFL FLAG Player of the Week will be featured nationally on Thursdays on NFL Network's Good Morning Football in tandem with the High School Award. The NFL FLAG organization of each honoree will receive a $3,000 equipment grant.
A panel of representatives from the NFL and NFL FLAG selects the weekly award winner:
- Izell Reese – NFL FLAG Executive Director and NFL Legend
- Bobby Taylor – 10-year NFL cornerback, Strategic Advisor for Football Development
- Phoebe Schecter – NFL FLAG Ambassador, Former Buffalo Bills Assistant Coach
- Matt Reimel – NFL FLAG Tournament Director
- Desiree Abrams – NFL FLAG Ambassador, Football Official
NFL FLAG Player of the Week Recipients
2023 Week 17 NFL FLAG Player of the Week – Noah Le
2023 Week 16 NFL FLAG Player of the Week – Londynn Brown
2023 Week 15 NFL FLAG Player of the Week – Noah Kelly
NFL Canada Way to Play High School Award
NFL Canada will recognize an NFL Way to Play High School Award winner every Sunday for 10 weeks (Sept. 17-Nov. 19). The award recipient will be announced on CTV via Bell Media, and the school of each honoree will receive a $3,000 equipment grant through Football Canada.
A panel of representatives from the NFL Canada Football Development Committee selects the player who most positively impacted the game through proper technique:
- Aaron Geisler – Executive Director, Ontario Football
- Davis Sanchez – NFL and CFL game analyst on TSN, three-time Grey Cup champion
- Gord Grace – President, OUA
- Mark Harrison – High school football coach
- Karen Ouellette – Executive Director, Football Nova Scotia
- Mike Thomas – Director of Operations, Football Saskatchewan and League Convenor, RYFFL
