High School Football | Chicago Bears Official Website
High School Football Initiatives
High School All-Star & Coach of the Week
The Chicago Bears "Coach of the Week" program was launched in 1996 and "High School All-Star" program in 2011. The "Coach of the Week" program honors outstanding Illinois high school coaches who develop players' football skills and knowledge, character, leadership, discipline and teamwork abilities. The nomination criteria for the "High School All-Star" program includes on-field performance, community involvement and good sportsmanship. Deserving high school coaches and players are nominated by a panel of local prep authorities and the winning player is selected each week from August 27-October 23. Since the program's inception, the Bears have donated more than $326,500 to Illinois high schools in support of their football programs.
Week 1 l Coach: Anthony Kopp - Player: Jonas Williams
Week 2 l Coach: Julius Carter - Player: Andre Crews
Week 3 l Coach: Dedrick DeWalt - Player: Danny Vuckovic
Week 4 l Coach: Jouscelyn Mayfield & Konesha Rhea - Player: Brad Vierneisel
Week 5 l Coach: Miles Osei - Player: Lynel Billips-Williams
Week 6 l Coach: Anthony Dotson - Player: Jaydon Wright
Week 7 l Coach: Josh Jostes - Player: Aiden Riser
Week 8 l Coach: Phillip Rossberg - Player: Blayne Sisson
Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star brought to you by Athletico Physical Therapy
The Chicago Bears are proud to partner with Athletico Physical Therapy to present the Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star Award that recognizes high school football players who make a positive impact in their community and school. These student-athletes exemplify service, leadership, and character. The Chicago Bears Community High School All-Stars take the lessons learned through playing the sport of football and use them to benefit their community.
Nike 11-On
The Chicago Bears hosted the 3rd annual Nike 11-On at Fenton High School on June 29 and 30. Sixteen high schools participated in scrimmages and skills competitions over two days. Those schools were:
- Addison Trail
- Carmel Catholic
- Christ the King
- Dundee-Crown
- Evanston
- Fenton
- Joliet West
- Lane Tech
- North Chicago
- Rochester
- Rockford Auburn
- South Elgin
- Streamwood
- Thornton Fractional North
- Westinghouse
- Willowbrook
As the winning team, Rochester received a $2,000 donation to their football program. Carmel Catholic and Fenton received a $1,500 donation for coming in second and third place, respectively. South Elgin received a $1,000 donation for fourth place, Dundee-Crown and Evanston received a $750 donation for coming in fifth and sixth place respectively, and Joliet West and Rockford Auburn received a $500 donation for coming in seventh and eighth place respectively.
IHSA State Champions
During halftime on Dec. 20, the Bears recognized high school football honorees. 2021 IHSA State Champions were Lena-Winslow (1A) Wilmington HS (2A), Byron High School (3A), Joliet Catholic Academy (4A), Fenwick HS (5A), Cary-Grove HS (6A), Wheaton NorthHS (7A) and Lockport Township HS (8A).
Athletic Training Grant
The Chicago Bears and Bears Care announced that Back of the Yards High School in Chicago and Thornton Township High School in Harvey will each receive grants from Bears Care for athletic training equipment that will support the health and safety of all students. In 2021, the Chicago Bears and Bears Care also presented Dunbar Vocational Career Academy in Chicago and Fenton High School in Bensenville with similar grants; Tucker also joined their coaches and staff virtually to share the news.
Girls Flag Football
The Chicago Bears, Nike, Gatorade, Buffalo Wild Wings and Bears Care partnered with The Chicago Public League, Rockford area schools and the West Suburban Conference to grow girls high school flag football in Illinois. The Chicago Bears High School Girls Flag Football League consisted of 60 teams and over 1200 girls. After a six-week regular season and a two-week post season culminated with a state tournament at Halas Hall, Willowbrook High School was crowned the 2022 State Champions.
NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards
The Bears annually host the National Football Foundation Chicago Metro Chapter Scholar-Athlete Awards at Halas Hall. Three high school seniors receive college scholarships and trophies for their excellence on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. The scholarships are provided through a partnership between Bears Care and the National Football Foundation. Additionally, the Chicago Bears Community Champion Award is presented to three high school football players in recognition of their tremendous civic involvement.
NFL Grassroots Program
The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program is a partnership of the National Football League Foundation (NFL Foundation) and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to provide non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations, middle schools and high schools with financing and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields.
Parks and playing fields can serve as tremendous community assets because they offer opportunities for recreation, education, and relaxation that contribute to the local quality of life, especially for young people. In five years of programming, the Fields Program has awarded $12.5 million in grants for 116 projects with total development costs of $53 million in over 40 cities across the country. Grants are announced and awarded annually in the fall.
The National Football League Foundation (NFL Foundation) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the health and safety of sports, youth football and the communities in which we live. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football and the communities which support our game.