May 18, 2005
Former Washington State standout quarterback Drew Bledsoe of the Dallas Cowboys, who led the Cougars to a 1992 Copper Bowl Victory over Utah, will be enshrined in the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame (www.sportshumanitarian.com) for his efforts as a role model and humanitarian June 8 at its 11th annual induction ceremonies in Boise, Idaho.
The former No. 1 NFL draft pick and education major at WSU will accompany 1936 Olympic runner Louis Zamperini, and three-time equestrian Olympian Kathy Kusner in the Humanitarian Hall of Fame's class of 2005.
The Humanitarian Hall of Fame annually inducts individuals who are world-class in athletic ability, role models in their community and have a strong record of humanitarian efforts. Since President Gerald R. Ford served as its first honorary chairman in 1994 the Hall has enshrined over 30 humanitarian athletes including tennis great Arthur Ashe, major league baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson, NFL coaching legend Tom Landry, the NBA's David Robinson, and soccer great Pelé.
Throughout his 12-year NFL career, the Walla Walla, Wash. native has taken an active role in helping parents and children in the communities where he has played - most notably through the Drew Bledsoe Foundation (www.drewbledsoe.com) and the Parenting with Dignity curriculum (www.parentingwithdignity.com) developed by his parents Mac and Barbara.
With Bledsoe as the catalyst, the Parenting with Dignity curriculum is used in schools, prisons, alternative schools, and community and youth organizations around the country. The curriculum, which has reached an estimated 1.75 million American families, teaches parents how to teach their own family values to their children and how to teach their children to make decisions based on these values. Its message is focused on helping parents and caregivers rethink their approach to discipline, punishment and empowerment.
At a recent talk with inmates graduating from the Parenting with Dignity program at Idaho's Orofino Maximum Security Prison -- where every prisoner has an opportunity to participate in the program, the father of four shared the stories of the intimidating experiences he has faced in his NFL career. "By far, the most intimidating situation I have ever faced is the 20-minute ride home from the hospital with my first son," said the 33-year-old Bledsoe. "I believe positive change in America's youth will occur only when parents learn to effectively teach their own values and solid decisions making skills to their own children. That's when permanent change can occur."
While Bledsoe is known at WSU for his contributions on the gridiron, including the victory over Washington in blizzard-like conditions at the 1992 Apple Cup, he has quietly gone about making a difference off the field, including the establishment of the Albert "Stu" Bledsoe Endowed Football Scholarship at Washington State - a $150,000 endowment in the name of his grandfather.
Bledsoe has also served as International Chairman of the Children's Miracle Network, helping to raise millions of dollars annually to benefit hospitalized children in 170 children's hospitals nationwide. He is a recipient of the Thurman Munson Humanitarian Award, the NFL Alumni Spirit Award for exemplifying the spirit of the NFL caring for kids and in 2004 received the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, chosen by his teammates for demonstrating balance between civic and professional responsibilities. Bledsoe has also been recognized with the Ed Block Courage award, chosen by his teammates as the NFL player demonstrating the most courage and character.
Bledsoe has been a fixture in the NFL since the day he was drafted by the New England Patriots in 1993. Bledsoe played nine seasons with the Patriots (1993-2001) before he was traded to the Buffalo Bills. Bledsoe spent three years in Buffalo (2002-04) prior to signing with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this year.
During his three seasons at WSU, Bledsoe ranked as one of the best quarterbacks ever to wear the Crimson and the Gray at Quarterback U.
He began his career as a true freshman in 1990 by starting the final five games of the season. Two years later he finished his career leading WSU to a thrilling 31-28 victory over Utah in the Copper Bowl. During his career Bledsoe, who came to WSU from Walla Walla, threw for 7,373 yards and 46 touchdowns.
In 1992 he set then single-season records for passing yards (3,246) pass attempts (432). His 241 pass completions during the '92 season still stands as a school record. He also established five single-game records, including 476 passing yards and 468 total offense yards against Utah in the Copper Bowl.
As a part of its induction ceremonies, the Humanitarian Hall of Fame recognizes others from all corners of the sporting world through its annual humanitarian awards program. The 2005 award winners include 1969 Heisman Trophy winner, Steve Owens of the University of Oklahoma, the Sacramento Kings and Monarchs of the NBA and WNBA, Lynn and Sally Stiles of Muscatine, Iowa's Youth Sports Foundation and Bill Crookham of Caldwell, Idaho.
Ceremonies get underway at 6 p.m., June 8 at Boise's Centre on the Grove. Tickets are $50 for adults ($16.50 for youth under 12) and available by contacting the Hall at 208-343-7224.
Two U.S. Olympians, Zamperini and Kusner round-out this year's class of inductees. Zamperini, the top American 5,000 meter runner at the 1936 Berlin Olympics who, after his B-24 crashed into the Pacific during World War II, began a two year odyssey that included 47 days adrift in a life raft and interment as a POW, has since spent a lifetime of teaching forgiveness skills to war veterans, youth and others.
Kusner is a three-time Olympian and silver medalist at the 1972 Munich Games, gold and silver medal winner in two Pan American Games appearances, and the first woman to be licensed as a jockey in the U.S. Her South Central Los Angeles "Horses in the Hood" program helped over 450 at-risk youth learn the value of responsibility and discipline through horsemanship.
"The City of Boise is proud to be the home of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame, the only athletic museum of its kind in the nation," said Boise Mayor David Bieter. "At a time when the sports pages are increasingly dominated by reports of scandal and questionable behavior, our Hall of Fame casts a spotlight on those extraordinary individuals whose physical talent and moral character make them positive role models for kids and adults alike," added Bieter. "I look forward to this year's World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame induction ceremony as another opportunity to underscore the oldest rule in sports: `It's how you play the game that counts'."
"Many of our most recognized athletes make positive impacts in their communities through their humanitarian efforts, yet their acts of selflessness are often not recognized," said Myron Finkbeiner, Founder of the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. "The Humanitarian Hall of Fame endeavors to showcase our role-model athletes who are humanitarians and preserve their legacy."
About The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame
The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame (www.sportshumanitarian.com), located on the Boise State University campus in Boise, Idaho, recognizes individuals and organizations from the world of amateur and professional athletics who, through their humanitarian efforts, distinguish themselves as role models in the community.
Since 1994 over thirty role models with world-class athletic ability and exceptional humanitarian achievements have been inducted to the World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. Each spring the induction ceremony includes recipients of an annual humanitarian awards program that recognizes community achievement in all corners of the sporting world through its President's Award, Pro Team Community Award, Don Simplot Idaho Humanitarian Award, the Tradition of Excellence Award presented to a Heisman Trophy winner, and the Nell and John Wooden Humanitarian Lifetime Coaching Achievement Award. Each year the Hall of Fame, in partnership with Boise's MPC Computers Bowl, honors a player from each team with its Student Humanitarian Award. The World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and is open weekdays to visitors and humanitarians of all ages.
