Cougars highlight the 24th Annual National Football Foundation Celebration

SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU standout and current Kansas City Chief Daniel Sorensen, and longtime BYU football coach Paul Tidwell headlined the 24th annual National Football Foundation banquet for the Utah chapter on Tuesday at the Utah Community Credit Union Events Center.

Sorensen was recognized with the Distinguished American Award. Past award winners include Steve Young, Eric Weddle, Haloti Ngata, Steve Smith, Dennis Pitta, Kevin Curtis and many others. Upon receiving the award, Sorensen spoke specifically to the high school award winners. 

"Congratulations to all of the recipients tonight," Sorensen said. "Each of them are stellar young men, student-athletes, sons, brothers and leaders in their community. They are inspiring to me and make me want to be a better person."

Sorensen is coming off a breakout season where he started 14 games, accumulated 89 tackles and an interception in helping the Chiefs win the AFC West. Before the 2017 season he signed a four-year contract to remain with the club.

Tidwell, who has been at BYU since 2000, currently works in the athletic department as the student-athlete welfare coordinator. Prior to that he spent 15 years coaching on both Bronco Mendenhall and Gary Crowton’s staff. He was the head coach at Snow College from 1988-1994 and began his coaching career as the head coach at Richfield High School (1978) and North Sanpete (1979-83). He was honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football award. 

"When you go to work and you love what to do you never anticipate any awards and honors," Tidwell said. "It's one of those situations where I feel like I have gotten so much more than I have given. There have been so many great people that helped in the direction of my path. I am so fortunate and thankful to all the great mentors I have had in my career."

Sorensen and Tidwell were joined by five-time state champion Coach Mike Favero (Logan High School) and former official Scott Maxfield who were both honored with the Outstanding Service to Amateur Football in Utah awards. In addition, the board of directors announced their annual scholar-athlete winners, including 2018 BYU football signee, Dallin Holker. 

This impressive list of prep football players includes two state MVP’s. All 12 were 2017 first team All-State Selections in the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune, and a combined GPA of 3.91, with four of the 12 achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA for their high school career. 

The Utah Chapter of the National Football Foundation was founded in 1994 and is proud to be an integral part of the National Foundation. The Utah chapter is represented by a dedicated Board of Directors who devote their time and talents to ensure the future of amateur football in the great state of Utah. – See more at https://www.utahfootballfoundation.com/.