Local Teen Named Finalist For U.S. Army-Pro Football Hall of Fame Award

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Those enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame are part of one of the most elite groups in sports.

Now, that organization is teaming up with the United States Army to honor the nation's elite student-athletes.

Tara McFadden is one of the finalists for the U.S. Army-Pro Football Hall of Fame Award for Excellence.

To get this far, she had to be really special.

"Everybody goes through obstacles in life -- and I am sure that all of them here today have done the same thing. They just knew how to overcome them and I think that I will be able to do the same thing with whatever comes my way," McFadden said.

McFadden, a junior at New Brighton Area High School, plays volleyball, basketball and softball. She is also a top student in her class.

"It's great that they bring Hall of Famers that are from the area to let the youth know that, 'Hey, you can strive for excellence,'" Army Major Leon Melton said.

Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Reed -- a Pennsylvania native -- made the announcement to the entire school today.

McFadden and the other 19 finalists are invited to Canton, Ohio in August for the enshrinement weekend, where the winner will be named.

The former Buffalo Bills star had some advice for her before the ceremony.

"You only can be yourself. If you are yourself and present yourself like you want to be presented and you want people to perceive you, that's all you can ask for -- and if you are positive, the sky is the limit," Reed said.

After today's ceremony, Tara took time to take pictures with family members. She said in her acceptance speech that they are a big part of the reason why she is here today.

"They are the reason that I am the person that I am today. I look up to them with everything -- both of them, all of them -- and so I was really glad to have all of them here with me today to honor such an award like this," she said.

While Tara is only a junior, she wants to go to college and dental school.

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter