Elijah Ruff has no trouble handling direction.
The George Washington junior will get some today, when the Broncos host the Seattle Seahawks at Invesco Field at Mile High. Ruff is the first Brian Dawkins/Denver Post Award winner.
“I’m very pumped about it, very excited,” Ruff said. “I think high school’s a crucial time. We need guidance. And it’s a chance to meet an example.”
Dawkins, who had a similar program in Philadelphia with the Eagles, will choose a deserving prep football player before each Broncos home game who demonstrates strong commitment to and accomplishment in the sport and in the classroom, and character off the field.
The winner will receive two tickets to a Broncos home game as well as pregame sideline passes. The player must be accompanied by a parent or chaperone. Dawkins will meet with the player after the game.
Ruff, a two-way tackle, has a 3.5 grade-point average and is a pillar of leadership and character for coach Steve Finesilver’s Class 5A Patriots.
“Elijah has to take the bus to school and practice, gets up early and has never missed,” Finesilver said. “He’s a terrific young man.”
Nominees must be submitted to The Denver Post at ndevlin@denverpost.com. The final selection is made by Dawkins.
