- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 438,171
- Reaction score
- 44
Apalachee senior Favian Williford was named the Atlanta Falcon's High School Man of the Year for 2024.
The running back earned the honor on April 18 and was presented the crystal award by Falcon's punter Bradley Pinion.
"(It feels) unreal, to be honest," Williford said. "I can't really explain how it feels, to be honest. It just feels great. I'm honored. Not everybody gets something like this, so for me to be the person to get it, I'm very proud of myself."
Story continues below.
Apalachee principal Jessica Rehberg and athletic director Ralph Neely both attended the show with Williford and his parents, Eric and Sharon.
This is the fourth year the Falcons have presented this award. It was modeled after the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award and given to a student-athlete who embodies excellence on and off the gridiron. In 2021, the inaugural year, it was South Gwinnett's Jalavis Wilson who won the award. 2022 was Cherokee Bluff's Jacob Benjamin. 2023 was Lassiter's Shaw Mixon.
Williford was one of five nominees this year, his mom Sharon said, and he had to write a speech about a highlight from the 2024 season. He chose a special one: when the Falcons hosted the Apalachee football program at a game after the shooting. As one of the Wildcat captains, he even got to walk onto the field at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
In three years (21 games) with the Wildcats, Williford recorded 257 carries for 1,652 yards and 12 touchdowns, as well as 38 receptions for 444 yards and another touchdown. He was also the kick returner as a junior and senior, with 24 returns for 457 yards — his longest return was 91 yards.
Williford plans to continue his football career at Brevard College in North Carolina this fall.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Atlanta Falcons present Apalachee RB with High School Man of the Year
Continue reading...
The running back earned the honor on April 18 and was presented the crystal award by Falcon's punter Bradley Pinion.
"(It feels) unreal, to be honest," Williford said. "I can't really explain how it feels, to be honest. It just feels great. I'm honored. Not everybody gets something like this, so for me to be the person to get it, I'm very proud of myself."
Story continues below.
You must be registered for see images attach
Apalachee principal Jessica Rehberg and athletic director Ralph Neely both attended the show with Williford and his parents, Eric and Sharon.
This is the fourth year the Falcons have presented this award. It was modeled after the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award and given to a student-athlete who embodies excellence on and off the gridiron. In 2021, the inaugural year, it was South Gwinnett's Jalavis Wilson who won the award. 2022 was Cherokee Bluff's Jacob Benjamin. 2023 was Lassiter's Shaw Mixon.
Williford was one of five nominees this year, his mom Sharon said, and he had to write a speech about a highlight from the 2024 season. He chose a special one: when the Falcons hosted the Apalachee football program at a game after the shooting. As one of the Wildcat captains, he even got to walk onto the field at Mercedes Benz Stadium.
In three years (21 games) with the Wildcats, Williford recorded 257 carries for 1,652 yards and 12 touchdowns, as well as 38 receptions for 444 yards and another touchdown. He was also the kick returner as a junior and senior, with 24 returns for 457 yards — his longest return was 91 yards.
Williford plans to continue his football career at Brevard College in North Carolina this fall.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Atlanta Falcons present Apalachee RB with High School Man of the Year
Continue reading...
