2023 Week 1 NFL Way to Play Award Winner – Jerry Misaalefua of Carson HS (California)

NFL's Way to Play High School football award.
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Jerry Misaalefua of Carson High School in California is the Week 1 winner of the NFL Way to Play Award.

The weekly NFL Way to Play High School award celebrates the best examples of playing technique from high school and NFL FLAG players. The award recognizes the excellence demonstrated by youth players who exemplify proper technique to make impactful plays. Through this initiative, and in partnership with Hudl and NFL FLAG, players will be honored each week during the regular NFL season for demonstrating exceptional in-game playing technique.

Know a high school player who uses exceptional technique to make impactful plays? Nominate them for the NFL Way to Play High School Award.

Click here to nominate a player for the NFL Way To Play Award

The NFL Way to Play High School Award is featured nationally on Thursdays on NFL Network’s Good Morning Football, and the school of each honoree will receive a $3,000 equipment grant through USA Football.

A panel of representatives from the NFL Football Operations Department selects the player who most positively impacted the game through proper technique:

  • Phil Bogle – 2-year NFL guard, Director of Game Operations
  • Kevin Boothe – 9-year NFL offensive lineman, Director of Labor Operations, Management Council
  • Jay Manahan – Director of Player Communications
  • Jon Runyan – 14-year NFL offensive tackle, Vice President of Policy and Rules Administration
  • Bobby Taylor – 10-year NFL cornerback, Strategic Advisor for Football Development
  • Troy Vincent – 15-year NFL cornerback, Executive Vice President of Football Operations

Visit NFL Play Football at playfootball.nfl.com

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About the Author

Jeff Fisher
Jeff is an award-winning journalist and expert in the field of high school sports, underscored with his appearance on CNBC in 2010 to talk about the big business of high school football in America.Jeff turned to his passion for high school football into an entrepreneurial venture called High School Football America, a digital media company focused on producing original high school sports content for radio, television and the internet.Jeff is co-founder and editor-in-chief of High School Football America, a partner with NFL Play Football.