MSSD football coach nominated for NFL’s Coach Shula Award

Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) football coach and Athletic Director Mark Burke has been nominated by the Washington Redskins for the Coach Shula Award, newly created by the National Football League to honor football coaches who display the integrity and leadership exemplified by Don Shula, the coach with the most wins in NFL history.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the award was established in honor of Shula because “Don Shula not only set coaching records on the football field but also had an extraordinarily positive influence on so many lives. As a coach, he was a teacher and mentor who inspired the men he led to pursue excellence with integrity throughout their lives. It is important for us as a league to preserve Coach Shula’s legacy by continuing to recognize and encourage his inspirational leadership through this award.”

Each NFL team nominates a coach, who may coach at any level of football. The winner of the award will be recognized at a special press conference during Super Bowl XLV on Sunday, February 6. The recipient will also receive a $10,000 cash award and $15,000 for his or her football program.

Congratulations, coach Burke, on being nominated for this prestigious award!