American Youth Football & Cheer

American Youth Football

American Youth Football & Cheer the largest youth football and youth cheer organization on earth.

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AYF Alumni Ring of Honor

About the Ring of Honor
Alumni News & Statistics
American Youth Football Players in the NFL
American Youth Football Players in NCAA
American Youth Football College Prospects
American Youth Football Coaches
Other NCAA & NFL Players from current AYF Organizations
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About the Ring of Honor:

American Youth Football has always focused on promoting good sportsmanship, teamwork, high moral and physical standards and the importance of scholarship and academic achievement.

These lessons and values have allowed our members to succeed in the classroom and on the field. Some of our member have even been lucky enough to bring their abilities to the next level and continue playing football into high school, college and even the National Football League.

We want to honor these individuals by highlighting their achievements and adding them to our Ring of Honor.

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Alumni News & Statistics:

News:

CLEMSON, SC- Sammy Watkins and Mike Bellamy made their first game in a Clemson Tigers uniform a memorable one.

The two former Southwest Florida high school football stars combined for 237 total yards and two touchdowns in a 43-19 Clemson win over Troy.

The South Fort Myers High School graduate Watkins had seven receptions for 81 yards, including a 33-yard catch for a touchdown to give Clemson a 7-0 lead.

Charlotte High School grad Bellamy took his first collegiate carry 75 yards for a touchdown to break open a close game in the fourth quarter and give Clemson a 33-19 lead.

Bellamy finished with three carries for 81 yards.

He added three kickoff returns for 58 yards, including a 39 yard return.

Watkins also added one punt return for 12 yards and two carries for five yards.

Both players are true freshmen who broke several records in leading their high school teams deep into the postseason in 2010.

Alumni News Archive

Alumni Season Statistics:

RB - Mike Bellamy - Clemson University

Game 1 vs. Troy: 3 carries for 81 yards, 1 TD, 75-yard Touchdown run on first collegiate carry.

RB - Jesse Callier - University of Washington

Game 1 vs. Eastern Washington: 10 carries for 47 yards, 0 TD

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American Youth Football Players in the NFL:

Santonio Holmes
Chris Long
Marcus E. Smith

WR - Santonio Holmes - New York Jets:

Santonio was born on March 3, 1984 in Belle Glade, FL. He began playing football with an AYF Association in Belle Glade. He continued to excel in football and went on to play for Glades Central High School. He helped Glades Central to state titles his sophomore and junior years and a 12-1 record his senior year. He was also named the MVP of the Outback Steakhouse All-Star Game.

After High School he was recruited to attend Ohio State University. During his time at Ohio State he touched the ball 200 times, gaining 3,123 all-purpose yards, becoming the 12th Buckeye to gain over 3,000 yards in a career. He finished 5th in Ohio State school history with 140 receptions for 2,295 yards and 3rd with 25 touchdown catches.

The Pittsburg Steelers drafted Santonio with the 25th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. His breakout year came in 2007 when he led the Steelers in receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and emerged as one of the better known deep threats in the NFL. In 2008 he had a solidregular season but really put on a show in the post season. His signature moment was when he helped secure the Steelers' NFL-record 6th Super Bowl win after catching a 6-yard touchdown pass from Ben Roethlisberger with 35 seconds left in regulation. He was named Super Bowl MVP, becoming the sixth wide receiver to win the award.

In 2010 Santonio was traded to the New York Jets. Once in New York he solidified his reputation as a playmaker with more late game heroics. On November 14th, 2010 with 22 seconds to go in overtime against the Cleveland Browns, Santonio caught a pass on the Browns 31 yard line and carried it in for a touchdown, giving the Jets a 26-20 victory against Cleveland. The very next week, Holmes caught a game winning touchdown from Mark Sanchez with 10 seconds left and the Jets went on to beat the Texans 30-27.

He is currently a Free Agent but has stated his intentions to return to the New York Jets.

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DE - Chris Long - St. Louis Rams:

Chris Long was born March 28, 1985 in Santa Monica, California. He is the son of Hall of Fame NFL defensive end Howie Long. During his youth Chis spent time playing for Charloettsville AYF. Due to his size Chris would not have played youth football in other leagues. Thanks to AYF's grade based divisions he was able to participate.

Chris then went on to play for football for St. Anne's-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Virginia. As a senior in 2003 he was in on 91 tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, and 15 sacks helping his team to an undefeated record and the state private-school championship. He was rated as the sixth-best defensive end in the country.

Chris was recruited by the University of Virginia. Chris's career started off slow but in 2006 he broke out. During the 2006 season He earned second-team All-ACC honors and was voted team captain. Then following his 2007 senior season, Long was selected as a consensus First-team All-American. He also won the Ted Hendricks Award, given to the top defensive end in the nation. Chris's #91 jersey was retired at UVA, making him the first player to have his jersey retired while he was still active. Watch Chris Long get a Safety in College.

In 2008, Chris was drafted by the St. Louis Rams with the second overall pick. The selection made him just the second son of a Hall of Famer, after Kellen Winslow II, to be drafted in the first round, the fifth such player ever drafted, and one of two such players drafted in 2008. At the end of his 2008 rookie season he was voted All-Rookie by the Pro Football Writers Association and Sporting News.

Chris continues to play for the St. Louis Rams.

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DT - Marcus E. Smith - Free Agent:

Marcus E. Smith was born on February 7, 1984 in San Diego, California. Marcus played his youth football with the Balboa Youth Football and Cheer Association a member of American Youth Football.

Marcus was recruited to play college football at the University of Arizonia.After a nice college career Marcus was signed by the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2007. Since being the NFL Smith has also been a member of the Buffalo Bills and had a stint with the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League, where our president Joe Galat was once a head coach. Click here to see an interview of Marcus

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RB - Gino Gordon - Harvard University:

Gino Gordon is from Bonita, California and is a former player of San Diego Youth Football, which is part of American Youth Football. Gino went on to play High School football at Francis Parker. While in High School Gino won numerous awards. He was selected to the first team all-state and was a San Diego Union-Tribune all-county selection. He led San Diego County in rushing as a senior (156 yards per game). Gino also helped lead his school to the CIF San Diego Division V championship.

Gino also excelled academically and was chosen to the All-county All-Academic first team and named the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete. He was a member of the National Honor Society and chosen to National Society of High School Scholars and the California Scholastic Federation.

Gino decided to attend Harvard University. During his rookie season Gino was a two-time Ivy League Rookie of the Week and three-time Honor Roll honoree. As a Sophmore, Gino was named to the All-Ivy League second-team at running back after rushing for 578 yards on 119 rushes for an average of 4.9 yards per carry and five touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.

At the start of his Junior season he was named to the preseason All-Ivy League Second Team by Phil Steele's Football Magazine. Following his senior season Gino was named Ivy League co-Player of the Year. During the season he ran for 1,059 yards, which was the seventh-highest single-season mark at Harvard. He became the first player in four years to reach the 1,000-yard mark.

Watch the Highlights from Gino's Award Winning Season

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RB - Jesse Callier - University of Washington:

Jesse is from Downey, California and has previously played in AYF's Dessert Pacific Region. Jesse attended Warren High School where he rushed for 6,529 yards in three-years. As a senior he rushed for 3,010 yards and 43 touchdowns. The 3,010 yards led the state of California and were seventh most in the nation. He has received numerous awards including being named a first-team All-CIF Southern Section Western Division running back in 2009. He also won the San Gabriel Valley League title as a senior.

After High School Jesse committed to attend the University of Washington. As a freshman Jesse played in all 13 games, including starting four of them (Oregon State, Stanford, WSU and Holiday Bowl vs. Nebraska). He finished the regular season with 433 rushing yards on 77 carries and 98 receiving yards on 18 catches. Jesse was named the Husky Fever 12th Man of the Year at the team's awards banquet.

We wish Jesse the best of luck in the 2011 season and expect to see more good things from him in the future.

RB - Mike Bellamy - Clemson University:

Mike Bellamy has his roots in AYF playing for the Orlando Outlaws. Mike played for Charlotte County High School in Florida. During his High School career he had 7,329 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns. His 110 touchdowns set a state of Florida high school record. In 2010 He was named the National High School Football Player of the Year by Sporting News.

Mike was selected to participate in the 2010 Under Armour High School All-American Game. He was the leading rusher in the game with 56 yards in 13 attempts. Watch a video of Mike at the Under Armour Combine

The picture above shows Mike (#1) after the Under Armour All-Star Game taking a picture with Coach Rodney Thomas, Nicholas Washington (#56), Angelo Christodoulou (#84) and Kamba Vanderpool #(31) Coach Thomas is the Head Coach/President of the Orlando Outlaws and Coached all of these AYF players. Angelo and Kamba both played in the 2011 AYF All-Star game earlier in the evening.

Mike has been recruited by and decided to attend Clemson University. He has already been compared to Chris Johnson and former Clemson Star C.J. Spiller. We wish Mike luck and hope to see him continue his success at Clemson.

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QB - Brett Hundley - UCLA:

Brett is from Chandler, Arizona where he played for the Chandler Wolves which are part of AYF. Brett went on to star as the Quarterback at Chandler High School. During his junior year he earned all-region, all-state, all-Arizona, was the Grand Canyon State's Offensive Player of the Year and Gatorade Player of the Year honors. During his senior season at Chandler High, Hundley connected on 61.8 percent of his passes for 2,348 yards and 20 touchdowns, with only two interceptions.

He was selected to play in Under Armour High School All- American Game. In the game he threw a 58-yard touchdown pass. Prior to the All-American Game he showcased his passing accuracy and arm strength when he won the quarterback pass challenge in the Under Armour Skills Competition.

Brett has committed to attend UCLA. He has enrolled early so he can compete in spring practices for a chance to be named the starting Quarterback for the UCLA Bruins in 2011. We hope to see Brett under center this year!

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James Mullin

James Mullin, son of Julie and Jim Mullin, started playing football with the Worcester Cowboys in the year 2000. He continued playing football for the Worcester Cowboys for six years until he started High School. He enrolled in Holy Name High School in 2006 and there he played for The Naps. During his four years in High School his team won three Super Bowls and won the Division 1 Super Bowl in 2009.

After graduating from Holy Name in June of 2011, he enrolled in Fitchburg State University and became part of the Falcons Football Team. At Fitchburg State University he continues to play the sport he loves as well as pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. To James football is an honest game. It’s a game about sharing. When he plays football he is not just playing for himself he is playing for his TEAM.

American Youth Football College Prospects:

Desert Pacific Region:

Sam Bettencourt - HS: Sr at Warren HS in Downey CA
College: Committed to a college in Oregon

Jabari Ruffin - HS: Jr at Downey HS in Downey CA
College: Verbally committed to USC

Dutchtown Youth Football League:

Marcus Godfrey - Dutchtown - CB - University of Louisiana at Monroe
Leon Blouin IV – Dutchtown - QB – Tulane at New Orleans
Colby Crysel – Dutchtown - Louisiana College at Alexandria
Dandre Jacobs – Gonzales - 100/200 Meters Track - Hinds CC
Effrem Reed Jr. - Dutchtown - University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Jarvis Landry – Convent - Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge
Shaquille Lewis - Dutchtown - Louisiana College - Alexandria
Parris Stewart - Dutchtown - Southeastern Louisiana University - Hammond
Cole Harp - Dutchtown - New Mexico (Highland)/West Virginia (Charleston)
Wade Julien - Gonzales - Southern University at Baton Rouge

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American Youth Football Coaches:

In this section we want to recognize the coaches that have helped these players succeed.

Coach Jimmy Robinson:

Coach Robinson is a former NFL receiver and has just finished his 20th season coaching in the NFL. He spent last season coaching the Green Bay Packers receiving corps to a Super Bowl XLV win against the Pittsburg Steelers. For the 2011 season he has take a new job as the new Assistant Head Coach of the Dallas Cowboys while also continuing his role as Receivers Coach.

Coach Robinson has helped coach many AYF players in Shelton, Connecticut. He coached Shelton AYF speed clinic in 2009 for the then new AYF Seahawk boys and girls who numbered only 50 total in their first year. Shelton AYF grew in leaps and bounds in 2010 and in 2011. They now have over 200 players and cheerleaders. Coach Robinson will be back again this year at Shelton High School along with Coach Roy and his staff to conduct another AYF speed clinic.

Coach Rodney Thomas:

Coach Thomas is the Head Coach/President of the Orlando Outlaws.

He has Coached: