Pittsburgh Steelers honor 11 high school football players with Jerome Bettis Leadership Award
The National Football League‘s Pittsburgh Steelers honored 11 local high school football players with the Jerome Bettis Leadership Award Friday. The award, named after the former Steelers running back, a 2015 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is given to players from the WPIAL and City League, who go above and beyond to provide mentor-like support for their teammates.
Friday’s event was hosted by former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, founder of the Best of the Batch Foundation.
Each player was honored throughout the regular season at a Steelers’ home game, plus the NFL team donated $1,000 to the honoree’s football program and saluted each player on the team’s social media channels.
The 2025 honorees, who will also be saluted at Sunday night’s Pittsburgh Steelers/Baltimore Ravens game at Acriscure Stadium, are:
Week 1 – Connor Hiser, Sr. Offensive Lineman, South Fayette HS
About Hiser from the Steelers: Connor is a true leader for his football team and community. He is an active leader in school as a member of the National Honor Society, as well as an active member of his community. Connor volunteered at the Veterans Rock Concert, the Miracle League of Pittsburgh, and volunteers to mentor all of South Fayette’s youth football and elementary school activities. Connor is always willing to take on a leadership role to help mentor others no matter the situation.
Week 2 – Charles Simmons, Sr. Fullback/Linebacker, Bethel Park HS
About Simmons from the Steelers: Charles is an exemplary leader in his community and on his football team. He prides himself on integrity, inclusivity, and giving back to others by showing younger players the ropes and leading by example both on and off the field. Charles is also active in his community, extending his influence off the field as an active member of the Best Buddies Club where he works with and develops connections with students who have special needs and disabilities. He is also heavily involved as a volunteer within his church.
Week 3 – Max Topper, Sr. Wide Receiver/Linebacker, Greensburg Salem HS
About Topper from Steelers: Max is an excellent leader for Greensburg Salem’s football team, as well as in his community. He spends his spare time mentoring youth football players, and volunteering for roadside clean-up projects, events supporting victims of domestic violence, and working with local businesses to connect sports programs in the community. Max is a captain of the football team, but his contributions as a leader don’t stop there, as he is also the President of National Honor Society, and a member on the Leadership Council.
Week 4 – Marques Council Jr., Sr. Quarterback, Aliquippa HS
About Council from Steelers: Marques is a model student-athlete for his team and community. He leads both on and off the field with poise, confidence, and a team first mentality that inspires everyone around him. He sets the standard for academic discipline for not only himself, but those around him. He also invests his time in mentoring younger students and athletes in the community, using his own journey and experience to show how hard work and resilience will open doors for the future.
Week 5 – Colin Whyte, Sr. Offensive Line/Linebacker, West Greene HS
About Whyte from the Steelers: Colin is an excellent role model for West Greene Football and in his community. As a captain of the football team, Colin leads by example and serves as the go to person for teammates and peers to confide with. He is also at the top of his class and the potential valedictorian, a member of National Honor Society, and heavily involved in his community. Colin works with the youth programs, participates in food drives and blood drives.
Week 6 – Tommy Wuycheck, Sr. Offensive Line/Defensive Lineman, Seneca Valley HS
About Wuycheck from the Steelers: Tommy is the ideal role model for @SVRaiderFB and his community. He is a member of Seneca Valley’s Student-Athlete Leadership Team, a team captain for the football team, and brings a contagious positive energy every day that those around him follow. He is also heavily involved in community service activities such as St. Ferdinand’s White Elephant Sale and assisting with local youth football leagues and summer camps. Tommy is a selfless young man who is quick to direct praise to his teammates and coaches.
Week 7 – Kassius Gildon, Soph. Linebacker, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart HS
About Gildon from the Steelers: Kassius is an excellent role model for the OLSH High School and his community. He spends countless hours volunteering at Allegheny Center Alliance Church as well as the Jasmine Nyree Foundation. Kassius also completed a mission trip to Indianapolis this summer. As a Sophomore, Kassius’ behavior is contagious and has developed the trust of his teammates through leading by example and sacrificing himself to help others around him chase success.
Week 8 – Adam Shroads, Sr. Wide Receiver/Linebacker, Central Valley HS
About Shroads from the Steelers: Adam utilizes his personality and work ethic to be a great leader for both the Central Valley Warriors and his community. He sets a great example for younger teammates as the first one to practice and last one to leave and always putting in extra work both on the field and in the classroom, shown through being a member of National Honor Society. As an active member in his community, Adam has worked countless youth camps, boxes meals for those in need with the school food pantry and delivers those boxed meals to community members.
Week 9 – Jonnie Maestra, Sr. Offensive Lineman, Mars Area HS
About Maestra from the Steelers: Jonnie is an exemplary leader for his football team and his community. His kindness, humility, and willingness to serve others makes a huge impact on everyone around him. Jonnie contributes heavily in his community, volunteering with the VFW for Wreaths Across America, Special Olympics athletes, as well as neighborhood landscaping. He is able to build strong personal connections, creating an inclusive environment for everyone around him. These actions of service are contagious amongst his peers and community.
Week 10 – Christian Dawkins, Sr. Linebacker/Running Back, Beaver Falls HS
About Dawkins from Steelers: Christian is an excellent role model for @tigers15010 and his community! He is humble both on and off the field and excels in the classroom. On the field, although he suffered a season ending injury last year, he attended every practice and game to support and help coach his teammates. Christian’s actions get those around him to follow in step. He is heavily involved off the field as a member of the youth ambassador program, National Honor Society, and staying active in his church. Christian’s actions and demeanor both on and off the field have made a huge impact on the team as well as the next generation in his community.
Week 11 – Lukas Stead, Sr. Tight End/Defensive End, Allderdice HS
About Stead from the Steelers: Lukas is a tremendous mentor for @DiceDragonsFB and his community. His positive attitude and the way he carries himself is contagious amongst his teammates, friends, and the community as a whole. Lukas prides himself in leading by example and is a two-year captain. In those two years he has been a key contributor to improving in-school behavior and team GPA. As a Junior team captain, Lukas went out of his way to help a Freshman back up both on the field and at home. He would pick him up and take him to dinners, have consistent check ins with him, stay after practice for extra work, and lift with him in the offseason.
