Lafayette will be one of more than 2,000 high schools around the world to receive a commemorative Wilson Golden Football from the National Football League.
The golden footballs are being given to high schools that graduated a player or coach who was on an active Super Bowl roster.
The Super Bowl High School Honor Roll initiative, which is part of the NFL’s Super Bowl 50 celebration, recognizes schools and communities that contributed to Super Bowl history.
Lafayette’s golden football comes as a result of the illustrious career of Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor, who graduated from Lafayette in 1977.
Taylor is a two-time Super Bowl champion, having won Super Bowl XXI in 1987 and Super Bowl XXV in 1991, both with the New York Giants. Taylor is also a 10-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
It remains to be seen whether the school will hold a special ceremony to present the football, which Lafayette Athletic Director Dan Barner expects to keep in Lafayette’s expansive trophy case.
Lafayette Football Coach Andy Linn said the golden football is being mailed to the school, though he does not know when it will arrive.
Linn said receiving the golden football represents the success of Lafayette’s football program.
“I think it’s great for the high school,” he said. “Anything you can do to shed a positive light on the program is a good thing.”
