Fmr. Players Honor Alma Maters With Golden Football
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Former National Football League (NFL) Wide Receiver Isaac Bruce was honored by his high school alma mater in Fort Lauderdale on Friday.
The kids at Dillard High School welcomed the former Super Bowl winner with open arms.
Despite being off the field, he is still inspiring young players.
"I was always competitive with everything he does. I challenged him even when I was a linebacker. I challenged him with the running rounds. I tried to be better than he was and be a different kind of player - be a better player than what he was," said senior Kennett Ruff.
Bruce was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 1994 NFL Draft and played college football for the University of Memphis. He was a four-time pro bowl selection, played with the 49ers, and 14 years with the Rams where he won a Super Bowl ring.
Before all of that success, Bruce played football at Dillard High School.
Years later, he was back to present his alma mater with a commemorative golden football as part of the NFL High School Honor Roll program celebrating 50 years of the Super Bowl.
"One of my best memories playing football here was I played 1989-90 state championship versus Merritt Island in Daytona Beach, Florida. It was a huge game. We ended up winning the game 41-14 and I got a state championship ring which is about that big," said Bruce.
But it was nothing like the massive Super Bowl ring he won with the Rams. It's something the young Panthers would one day love to get their paws on.
"I want to know how it feels to be in that position of being a great player, a great receiver in the NFL, Hall of Famer, everything. Just how it feels to be put on that pedestal," said senior Torian Williams.
Some of the current players on the Panthers football team were seen getting their hands on the golden football. The rest of the student body will get to see it too.
But Bruce was not the only one to visit his alma mater.
Former Miami Dolphins wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl participant Nat Moore went back to his stomping grounds at Miami Edison Senior High School.
He also presented the school with a commemorative Wilson Golden Football as part of the same honor roll program.
The Super Bowl High School Honor Roll program celebrates high schools and communities who have contributed to Super Bowl history.
As part of the program, the NFL Foundation provides the schools with a new character education curriculum and the opportunity to apply for up to $5,000 grants to help support and grow their football programs.