ATLANTA — A local high school coach as been nominated for a top honors by his home team - the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons nominated Pike County High School head coach Brad Weber for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award.
Weber's team suffered a great loss at the end of September 2017 when junior Dylan Thomas was seriously injured during a Friday night game against Peach County High School. Thomas was taken to the hospital where he remained in a coma. He died Sunday.
The Atlanta Falcons rallied around the Pike County community and the high school football team in the wake of Thomas' death - the pro-team also invited hosted the Pike County football players for a practice, even dedicating a Sunday game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Thomas' name.
Weber is one of 32 high school football coaches selected by all the pro teams. Also nominated posthumously by the Miami Dolphins is Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School head coach Aaron Feis, who died protecting students during the massacre at the Parkland, Florida school.
Named after Pro Football Hall of Famer Don Shula - the winningest coach in NFL history - the award recognizes the coaches for their "character and integrity, leadership, dedication to the community, commitment to player health and safety and on-field success."
“High school football coaches not only serve as leaders, but as role models dedicated to shaping the lives of young high school players on and off the field,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
Two finalists will receive $15,000 from the NFL Foundation, $10,000 of which will go to their high school’s football program. They will also attend Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta as special guests of the NFL and get to walk the red carpet at the NFL Honors, Feb. 2.
The winner of the award will be announced during the 2019 Pro Bowl on Jan. 27 in Orlando, Florida.