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ST. THOMAS ACADEMY’S STEPHEN BETTS NAMED TO 2020 NFF TEAM OF DISTINCTION

By MN Chapter of the National Football Foundation, 06/23/20, 12:00PM CDT

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – June 23, 2020 – St. Thomas Academy’s Stephen Betts has been named to the 2020 National Football Foundation (NFF) Team of Distinction. Betts, a Minneapolis, Minn. native, was one of 82 members selected from a pool of 3,500 scholar-athletes. The nationwide initiative recognizes the best and brightest scholar-athletes in the country. 

Betts will be part of a permanent digital display at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Criteria to make the team include but are not limited to academic achievement, athletic accolades and community involvement. Each chapter has the opportunity to nominate one outstanding scholar athlete from all of the high schools covered by their chapter.  

“We are very proud of Stephen for receiving this prestigious honor. He has made a tremendous impact in the local Twin Cities community and is among the best scholar-athletes in the nation,” said Todd Fultz, President of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation. “He represents our state and chapter at the highest level.” 

Betts started at defensive back and guided St. Thomas Academy to consecutive state championship appearances. During his senior season, he led the Cadets in tackles and interceptions. Betts received the team’s defensive MVP award and earned both All-State and All-District honors. He was also selected as a member of the Star Tribune and KARE-11 All-Metro teams. While in high school, Betts shined in the classroom and community. He accumulated a 4.2 GPA and earned Eagle Academic Honors awards each year. Betts became a National Merit Commended Scholar and finished in the top 2-to-3% nationally.

Betts launched his own non-profit organization called “Feeding Hungry Families,” which assists families who are living below the poverty line in North Minneapolis and St. Paul. His non-profit has raised more than $100,000 and reaches hundreds of families. Betts also created the “Betts Community Outreach Program,” which brings music to nursing homes, assisted living facilities and community centers. Through his program, he has performed more than 200 piano concerts. Betts posted thousands of community service hours and continues to leave his mark on many local organizations. 

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About the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation:

The Minnesota Chapter of The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote amateur football’s ability to develop leadership, sportsmanship, competitive spirit and academic excellence in Minnesota’s young people. The Minnesota Chapter recognizes legendary football icons, college football Hall of Famers and Minnesota’s top high school and college football scholar athletes. For more information, visit www.nffmn.org​, or Facebook (​@MNFootballHonors​) and Twitter (​@NFFMN​).

Contact:

Todd Fultz, President              

MN Chapter of The National Football Foundation 

Phone: (612)-325-5500    

Media Contact: 

Daniel House, Director of Media Relations and Content 

MN Chapter of the National Football Foundation

daniel@nffmn.org