Tom Osborne Awarded Prestigious NFF Gold Medal for Outstanding Contribution to Football
BRAVO: Former Nebraska Cornhuskers head football coach Tom Osborne has been awarded the National Football Foundation’s prestigious Gold Medal, honoring his lifetime of outstanding contributions to the game of football.
The announcement, made by the NFF on Tuesday, recognizes Osborne’s profound impact on the sport as a legendary coach, athletic director, congressman, and mentor. Often hailed as one of the most respected figures in college football history, Osborne’s leadership at the University of Nebraska helped define an era of dominance and integrity in collegiate athletics.
“Coach Osborne exemplifies the highest ideals of the game, both on and off the field,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “His legacy extends beyond victories and championships — he has shaped lives, built communities, and stood as a role model for generations. The Gold Medal is a tribute to the enduring values he represents.”
Osborne coached the Cornhuskers from 1973 to 1997, compiling an astonishing 255-49-3 record over 25 seasons. Under his leadership, Nebraska captured three national championships (1994, 1995, and 1997), won 13 conference titles, and maintained consistent excellence in the classroom and the community. His teams were known for their discipline, teamwork, and physical dominance — traits that became hallmarks of the Nebraska program.
After retiring from coaching, Osborne served as Nebraska’s athletic director and later represented the state in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2001 to 2007. Despite leaving the sidelines, he remained a powerful advocate for youth development and education, founding the TeamMates Mentoring Program, which has matched thousands of students with caring adult mentors since its inception in 1991.
The NFF Gold Medal is the organization’s highest honor, previously awarded to U.S. Presidents, military leaders, business innovators, and legendary sports figures. Osborne joins an elite class of recipients whose lives reflect the values of leadership, integrity, and service.
“I am humbled by this honor,” Osborne said in a statement. “Football has been a vehicle for so much good in my life and in the lives of so many others. I’ve been fortunate to work with remarkable players, coaches, and communities over the years. This award reflects their efforts and commitment as much as mine.”
The award will be formally presented at the 2025 NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas this December, where Osborne will be honored in front of college football luminaries and supporters from across the country.
A coach, leader, mentor, and statesman — Tom Osborne’s legacy continues to echo across generations, making this latest recognition a fitting tribute to a life devoted to the game and the people it touches.
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