National Football Foundation

Driven by a passion for excellence, Nick Downey excelled in every aspect of high school, producing a record that was universally admired by his peers, teachers and coaches at Mundelein High School in suburban Chicago, Illinois. 

A football letterman for all four years in high school, Downey captained the Mustangs throughout his senior campaign despite being sidelined with a leg injury. At defensive tackle, he was named to the North Suburban All-Academic Team. 

Downey maintained an impressive 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale, landing a spot on the Mundelein Honor Roll every semester of his high school career and earning membership in the National Honor Society. A leader in his school, he participated with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and as an active member of his class' leadership council. 

"I can only hope that [my son] develops the same character traits that Nick has," said Mundelein head coach Dave Whitson. "He is an excellent student with a heart of gold and has a "Can-Do" attitude. Nick certainly displayed this through his leadership and community involvement and his unwavering attitude to encourage and enhance the lives of the people around him." 

The winner of the Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award, Downey volunteered at a homeless shelter, assisted with fundraising work, coached junior high school football and basketball and was a lector at his church. 

Downey attended Drake University, where he played football and earned his bachelor's in marketing, and is currently a retail guest service manager for The Walt Disney World Resort.