PARADE and Inspireum Partner to Find High School Football Players with Heart

NEW YORK, and BEND, Ore., Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 1963, PARADE has celebrated Americans' passion for football by naming its annual All-America High School Football Team, honoring the best young players in the country. This year PARADE is partnering with Inspireum, an Oregon-based company that develops youth programs, to honor the nation's most inspiring football players with The High School Football 'Rudy' Awards.

The 'Rudy' Awards celebrate outstanding athletes - not because of their statistical performance, but because of their ability to inspire and motivate teammates, classmates and communities. The awards are named for Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who was immortalized in the 1993 film Rudy, starring Sean Astin.

The longest-running prep honor in history, the PARADE All-America franchise has recognized top talent in high school sports since 1957. In 2010, PARADE broadened its franchise to honor those who contribute to their communities through service. "The 'Rudy' Awards now provide us an opportunity to add an important inspirational and emotional element to the program," says PARADE Editorial Director Maggie Murphy.

A total of $25,000 in academic scholarships, provided by the Trusted Sports Foundation, will be awarded to the 'Rudy' Awards grand prize winner, four runners-up, one fan favorite, and six finalists.  The winner will be featured in the January 15, 2012 issue of PARADE, alongside the 2012 PARADE All-America high school football team.  The 'Rudy' Award winners and finalists will be chosen by online voting and by an esteemed Selection Committee that includes former NFL greats Troy Aikman and Drew Bledsoe.

The first-ever recipient of the 'Rudy' Awards is Calob Leindecker of Baton Rouge, LA, who lost his leg in a car accident caused by a mudslide when he was 16. After undergoing nine surgeries, including the amputation of his leg, he said, "You can take my leg, but you can't take my heart." He never lost his spirit: When he dressed in his football uniform for the first time since the accident and led his team onto the field, there wasn't a dry eye in the stands.

For more information visit www.highschoolrudyawards.com.

SOURCE PARADE Magazine