It’s a double reward for Franco Cite in Sturgeon Falls and its football program.
Not only is the school the recipient of the Riddell 18 in 18 Smarter Football Program, it got a personal congratulation on winning the grant from Peyton Manning.
Manning is considered one of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks having won two Super Bowl championships during his 18 years in the sport.
He played 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and the last four with the Denver Broncos.
Manning is Riddell’s ambassador and he personally sent a video congratulating Franco Cite on winning the football equipment company’s grant.
Manning told the school what it’s doing with football is a testament to how it’s improving the game as it competes against larger schools.
About 1,400 applications came into Riddell from across North America and Franco Cite was the only Canadian high school to win.
Manning also said he hopes the grant helps Franco Cite to keep advancing the positive influence football has had on the school’s student athletes today and those who will attend the high school in the future.