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Jerome Bettis Leadership Award | Pittsburgh Steelers - Steelers.com

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Student athletes have a unique opportunity to offer mentoring support to their peers to help them learn and grow on AND off the field! The Pittsburgh Steelers and The Mentoring Partnership are teaming up with The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Giant Eagle to present the Jerome Bettis Leadership Award, featuring high school football players from around the region who go above and beyond to provide mentor-like support for their teammates. Each player receives:

  1. An on-field celebration at a Steelers home game
  2. A $1,000 donation to their school's football program
  3. Recognition on Steelers social media channels

"I give back because of what I was given. As a young athlete, I benefited from mentorship both on and off the field. Throughout my career, I strived to be a positive influence on my teammates and in my community. I firmly believe sports—and athletes in particular—have the power to make a lasting impact on their schools and communities. That’s why I’m excited to have my name connected to this award recognizing the peer leadership of high school athletes in the Pittsburgh area." - Jerome Bettis

Pittsburgh Steelers legend Jerome Bettis and the Leadership Award group prior to a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 in Pittsburgh, PA. The Steelers defeated the Ravens 26-24. (Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers)

Jerome Bettis welcomes 2025 High School Boy's Football Jerome Bettis Leadership Award winners

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2025 Winners

Connor Hiser OL South Fayette High School
Charles Simmons FB/LB Bethel Park High School
Max Topper WR/LB Greensburg Salem High School
Marques Council Jr. QB Aliquippa High School
Colin Whyte OL/LB West Greene High School
Tommy Wuycheck OL/DL Seneca Valley High School
Kassius Gildon LB Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School
Adam Shroads WR/LB Central Valley High School
Jonnie Maestra OL Mars Area High School
Christian Dawkins LB/RB Beaver Falls High School
Lukas Stead TE/DE Allderdice High School

2024 Winners

HIGH SCHOOL BOY'S FOOTBALL

Jayden Salada QB/DB New Brighton High School
Amari Eleam WR/DB Carrick High School
Carson Heinle QB Kiski Area High School
Braiden Sudor C Bishop Canevin High School
Nick Hage OT/DE Moon Area High School
Cooper Dann WR/LB Greensburg Salem High School
Arison Walker WR/DB Aliquippa High School
Paul Williamson OT/Nose Guard Chartiers-Houston High School
Williams Scoop Smith WR/DB Woodland Hills High School
Sam Brackney OL Central Catholic High School
Dominic Brown TE/LB Baldwin High School

HIGH SCHOOL GIRL'S FLAG

Zoey Cieslak RB/LB Shaler Area High School
Carmen Pietro WR Seneca Valley High School
Ava Chizmar LB/RB South Allegheny High School
Margaret Mary Sweeney WR/DB Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School
Meredith Huzjak WR/DB Upper St. Clair High School
Javylah Macon WR Sto-Rox High School
Shayla Washington QB/DB Brashear High School

2023 Winners

Dane Saputo OL/DL South Allegheny High School
Amare Harper OL/DL Sto-Rox High School
Carson Pierce ILB Shaler Area High School
Andrew Sharp RB/LB Baldwin High School
Nate Deanes RB South Fayette
Drew Hairston OT/DE Serra Catholic High School
Vasile Balouris WR/DB Pine Richland High School
Mason Williams LG/DT Canon-McMillan High School
Braeden Helmkamp OT/DE Trinity High School
Julian Stevens TE/LB Greensburg Salem High School
Keith Mincin RB/LB Baldwin High School

2022 Winners

Shawn Solomon Jr. RB/DB/LB Brashear High School
Zappula Lewis FB/LB Ambridge Area High School
Ryan Palmeri QB/RB/DB Pine-Richland High School
Kyler Rombold WR/DB New Brighton High School
Jackson Hutter LB Mt. Pleasant Area High School 
Braden Mika G/DT Kiski Area High School
Ta'Mere Robinson LB Brashear High School
Dior Devers RB/DB/LB Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy
Wesley Maxwell OL/DL Carlynton High School
Demetris Taylor WR/TE/FS Beaver Falls High School