Honoring student-athletes for academic excellence and recognizing exemplary contributions to sports and community

Langhorne, PA (May 28, 2024) – Pop Warner Little Scholars, the nation’s preeminent youth football and cheer organization and the only one with established academic standards, today announced that more than 5,000 youth student-athletes have been named All-American Scholars for the 2023-2024 academic year. These exceptional students earned this prestigious honor by achieving a GPA of 96% or higher.

In addition to celebrating these scholars, Pop Warner has unveiled its 2024 National Award Recipients, acknowledging individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to community service, athletics, youth, and education. The honorees are:

• Humanitarian Award: Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee Titans defensive end and Give ‘Em A Reason Foundation founder 
• Inspiration to Youth Award: Darlene Cavalier, Science Cheerleaders founder and Arizona State University professor 
• NFL Team of The Year Award: Atlanta Falcons 

“We are proud to honor the incredible achievements of our young scholars who embody Pop Warner’s commitment to academic and athletic excellence,” said Jon Butler, Executive Director of Pop Warner Little Scholars. “Our national award recipients exemplify leadership and dedication, inspiring the next generation through their outstanding contributions. This year’s honorees highlight the transformative power of turning challenges into opportunities, and opportunities into successes. We are excited to celebrate their inspiring stories and impactful service.”

The Atlanta Falcons have been named the NFL Team of the Year for their unwavering dedication to community engagement and youth support. This accolade celebrates their initiatives to advance the sport of football, particularly through their pioneering efforts in promoting flag football. The Falcons have been instrumental in making Georgia the fourth state to sanction girls' flag football as a high school sport and have expanded these programs nationwide, including the addition of flag football to 25 Alabama high schools. Their visionary leadership has made football more inclusive and accessible, enriching the lives of countless young athletes and teaching valuable lessons in teamwork and perseverance.

Jeffery Simmons, the Tennessee Titans defensive end, has been named the 2024 Pop Warner Humanitarian Award winner for his inspirational work both on and off the field. Simmons is a first-round NFL draft pick, two-time team captain, Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, and two-time Pro Bowl selection. His commitment to excellence extends beyond his athletic achievements; he is dedicated to serving underserved communities and providing young people with opportunities to succeed. His community work has spanned from Tennessee to his home state of Mississippi, including sponsoring and naming the field house at his old high school and hosting numerous camps in Mississippi. Simmons' latest initiative, the "Give Em A Reason Foundation," aims to empower youth through sports by building self-esteem and creating opportunities. Last season, he actively engaged with underserved youth in Nashville, joining children from the Martha O'Bryan Center's extended learning program for a visit to the Nashville Escape Room and collaborating with UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and Nashville General Hospital to pack and distribute food to residents facing food insecurity. His actions demonstrate selflessness and compassion, embodying what it means to be a good teammate and neighbor and showing young student-athletes the impact of giving back and leading by example. 

Darlene Cavalier has been honored with the Pop Warner Inspiration to Youth Award for her efforts in promoting STEM education for young women. This award recognizes leaders in sports who exemplify humanitarian principles through their voice and actions. Cavalier's dedication to teaching and encouraging young women to pursue STEM careers is at the heart of her work. She established Science Cheerleaders to shatter stereotypes and ignite a passion for STEM careers in girls. Cavalier collaborates with hundreds of current and former professional and collegiate cheerleaders, and together, serve as powerful role models, demonstrating that scientific pursuits and athletic excellence can go hand-in-hand. By introducing and encouraging Pop Warner athletes to pursue STEM through her organization, she is shaping a future where these fields are no longer gender-defined. Her tireless efforts are leaving a lasting legacy for generations of young women to come. Cavalier, a former cheerleader at Temple University and at the Philadelphia 76ers, is also a professor of practice at Arizona State University, founder of SciStarter, co-founder of Science Near Me, and founding board member of the Citizen Science Association.

About Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc.
Founded in 1929 and headquartered in Langhorne, PA, Pop Warner Little Scholars is the nation’s oldest youth football, cheerleading and dance organization and the only youth sports organization that emphasizes academics as a prerequisite for participation. Pop Warner participants enjoy the opportunity to learn and compete in their sports in an atmosphere that emphasizes fun, safety, academics and character. For more information on Pop Warner and its programs visit www.popwarner.com or follow Pop Warner on YouTube, Instagram or Facebook.