USA Football provided Texas football players, coaches and supporters bragging rights by recognizing Texas as the country’s “Best Football State” for 2007.
Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips and several Cowboys player with Texas roots received the Governor’s Cup award from USA Football Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck at the team’s headquarters Tuesday.
“I appreciate USA Football for honoring Texas as a great football state,” said Phillips, who was joined by Texans Leonard Davis, Keith Davis and Justin Rogers. “Having grown up playing football and coaching football in Texas, I am somewhat biased. But I truly believe Texas is home to the best football in the country.”
Texas earned the award based on a study conducted by The Wharton Sports Business Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania. A range of criteria was measured in each state, including the percentage of boys playing high school football, the percentage of high school seniors who have secured NCAA Division I-A football scholarships, birth states of 2007 NFL draftees as well as NFL coaches, Nielsen television ratings for NFL games, and other metrics of participation and enthusiasm.
“This honor celebrates our state’s exceptional football tradition,” Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones said. “Football in Texas captures our imagination and teaches our young people valuable life lessons. To the youngsters and parents who make youth leagues run to NFL Sundays in Dallas and Houston and every level in between, we’re proud of our football heritage which this award from USA Football makes tangible.”
Texas narrowly edged Pennsylvania in the study. Florida finished third, followed by New Jersey and Maryland. Mississippi won last year’s inaugural USA Football Governor’s Cup.
“It was an honor to have coach Phillips and the Cowboys to accept the award on behalf of Texas football players, coaches and supporters,” Hallenbeck said. “The Governor’s Cup recognizes everything that’s great about football – the fans’ passion, the players’ focus and the commitment of the coaches and administrators who help young men harness the skills necessary to play at their highest possible level.”
“This is a team sport of the mind, body and heart. It cultivates values as tall as mountains, which allow us to climb them throughout life. We are proud to honor Texas for everything it gives to this game.”
The race for the Governor’s Cup
1. Texas
2. Pennsylvania
3. Florida
4. New Jersey
5. Maryland
Story courtesy of Red Line Editorial, Inc.
