It is Friday the 13th, and here are some Boilermakings links mostly as an excuse to work in this press release:
National Program Recognizes Pro Football's Greatest Players in their Hometown Communities
Canton, Ohio - April 12, 2012 - Pro football legend Len Dawson will be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate Insurance Company in Alliance, Ohio, on Thursday, April 19, as part of "Hometown Hall of FamersTM," a national program honoring the hometown roots of the sport's greatest players with special ceremonies and plaque dedication events in local communities.
"'Hometown Hall of FamersTM' has been warmly embraced by communities and Hall of Famers alike," said George Veras, Pro Football Hall of Fame Enterprises president and CEO. "We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Allstate to bring the Pro Football Hall of Fame to communities across the country and congratulate Len Dawson and Alliance High School on bringing a piece of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to Alliance."
A 19-year veteran of the league as quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns, and former high school standout at Alliance High School, Dawson will be presented with his "Hometown Hall of FamerTM" plaque during a special ceremony at 1:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 19, at the Alliance High School auditorium, where the plaque will live permanently to serve as an inspiration for the school's students and athletes. The presentation will be made by Randy Hunt, former quarterback at Alliance High School and Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Trustees member.
"To be part of a program that brings the prestige and tradition of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to cities like Alliance is an honor for Allstate, our agents and employees," said Lisa Cochrane, Allstate's senior vice president of marketing.
The ceremony will be attended by Alliance High School students, faculty, staff, alumni and Dawson's family members and close friends. Alliance High School Principal Shawn Jackson will serve as the Master of Ceremonies.
In addition to the plaque, a commemorative Len Dawson "Hometown Hall of FamerTM" road sign will be on display in the Alliance community.
Dawson was a well-rounded athlete, playing basketball, baseball and football at Alliance High School. He was the starting quarterback for Alliance his junior and senior seasons and played for legendary high school coach Mel Knowlton. In an era where passing was secondary at the high school level, Dawson threw for 3,107 yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior year. He was chosen All-Ohio in football in 1952 and All-Ohio in basketball in 1953 before focusing solely on football at Purdue University where he finished his career with a school record at the time of 3,325 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes.
Dawson began his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957 as the Steelers No. 1 draft pick, but is best known for his accomplishments with the Dallas Texans, which became the Kansas City Chiefs in 1962. Dawson ranks as one of the elite forward passers of all time with an 82.56 rating compiled over 19 seasons of professional play. During his career, he completed 2,136 passes for 28,711 yards and 239 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,293 yards. Dawson led the Texans/Chiefs to three American Football League (AFL) titles, won four AFL passing crowns, was the 1962 AFL Player of the Year, and was named MVP of Super Bowl IV. He was selected to play in six AFL All-Star games and the 1972 AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. In 1973, Dawson was honored with the NFL Man of the Year Award.
Dawson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
"Hometown Hall of FamersTM presented by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Allstate" is the Hall of Fame's first nationwide plaque program and will lead into the celebration of its 50th anniversary in August 2012. For more information on the program and event videos, fans can visit www.profootballhof.com.
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