MINNEAPOLIS, MN - April 11, 2017 - The Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation is pleased to announce former state representative Morrie Lanning as the 2017 recipient of the Bud Grant Distinguished Minnesotan Award. Lanning authored the bill for U.S. Bank Stadium. He will accept the award at the 10 Year Anniversary of the Minnesota Football Honors on May 7.

Lanning spent 10 years, in the Minnesota House of Representatives. During his fifth term, in 2012, the Vikings stadium bill for which he served as chief sponsor was passed into law. After months of advocating for and updating the high-profile bill in a contentious political environment, Lanning’s effort paid off when the final version was signed in May of 2012.

In 2016 construction was completed on U.S. Bank Stadium. The new, state-of-the-art facility replaced the outdated Metrodome to host the Vikings and other events for the people of Minnesota. U.S. Bank Stadium will host the 2018 Super Bowl and the 2019 NCAA Men’s Final Four. The facility has already held an International Champions Cup soccer match, major concerts, Minnesota State High School League Football, college baseball and more.

Lanning is currently the president of Morrie Lanning Consulting LLC. Prior to his 2002 election into the Minnesota House, Other positions he held included mayor of Moorhead and vice president of student affairs and dean of students at Concordia College. Lanning graduated from Moorhead High School and earned his bachelor’s degree at Concordia College. He later earned a master’s degree at North Dakota State University.

The 10-Year Anniversary of the Minnesota Football Honors will be held Sunday, May 7, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium. College and professional football Hall of Fame inductees are scheduled to attend to celebrate the best of Minnesota football. The largest football awards event in the state is presented by the Minnesota Vikings. The event is open to the public. To register or find additional information about this year’s Minnesota Football Honors, please visit www.minnesotafootballhonors.com. For sponsorship information, please email lindsay@nffmn.org.

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About the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football Foundation:
The Minnesota Chapter of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive spirit and academic excellence in Minnesota’s young people. The MN 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, Facebook or Twitter.

Contact:
Lindsay Lommel, Event Manager
MN Chapter of The National Football Foundation
lindsay@nffmn.org