USA FOOTBALL CATCH GRANT HELPS GORDON HIGH SCHOOL RISE FROM TORNADO DEVASTATION TO CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
– Challenges and hardships grant helps championship-caliber 6-man program rebuild –
– Gordon overcomes spring tornado to compete in state championship game –
DALLAS & FORT WORTH, TEXAS – This past May, a tornado devastated Gordon High School’s football field and athletic facility. USA Football, the sport’s National Governing Body, supplied $92,000 in equipment through its CATCH Grant program to help Gordon get back on its feet in time for the 2025 season, which has paved the way to a historic championship game appearance for the 6-man program.
The Longhorns will conclude their season on December 17 at AT&T Stadium in the UIL 6-man 1A D1 state championship game against Rankin. Gordon has won back-to-back 6-man state championships.
"When we heard Gordon High School's story, we knew they were an excellent candidate for USA Football's CATCH Grant," said USA Football Senior Director of Grants, Beth Porreca. "Football can unite communities, teach important lessons and create a lifetime of memories. We wanted to help Gordon recover from the devastation with the CATCH Grant so they could reclaim those precious moments. Watching the Longhorns reach the championship game has been incredible, and we're proud to have played a small part in their journey."
Through USA Football’s CATCH Grant, Gordon received new helmets, shoulder pads, cleats, blocking sleds, tackle dummies, coolers, a JUGS machine and additional equipment designed to assist with agility training, blocking and hydration. The comprehensive assistance replaced much of the equipment destroyed in the tornado.
USA Football grants are made possible through support from the NFL Foundation. The Dallas Cowboys provided additional funding for the CATCH Grant supplied to Gordon High School.
“The equipment that we got from USA Football allowed our coaching staff to outfit everybody from our youth football [players] all the way to our seniors,” said Gordon assistant coach Shad Reed. “That was huge – getting the new shoulder pads, the new helmets for our varsity guys, the new blocking sled…It definitely was a game changer for us.”
“I believe that after the season is over, we’ll still see the effects of what USA Football has given to the team,” said running back and safety, Stryker Reed.
USA Football’s Charitable Assistance to Challenges & Hardships (CATCH) Grant is awarded to organizations that need assistance, outside of normal operations, due to critical circumstances, natural disasters or other acute hardships. The Gordon High School grant was fulfilled by USA Football’s partners, BSN Sports and Riddell.
“It is, without a doubt, one of the most selfless, caring acts by individuals who have the means to be able to give…to let a community continue on a journey of greatness that may never be matched again,” said Gordon head coach Mike Reed. “I’m honored to be even a small part of that.”
USA Football’s CATCH Grant has benefited organizations in Florida recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and Hawaii after the 2023 wildfires. Over the past three years, USA Football has awarded $300,000 in CATCH Grants to programs.
Since 2006, USA Football has awarded more than $22.5 million in grants to youth and school-based football programs, which has directly benefited athletes across 20,000 programs in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. USA Football’s grants program includes an extensive list of opportunities, including AED and Girls’ Flag grants designed to promote the sport’s growth and ensure the safety of participants and spectators.
About USA Football: USA Football is the National Governing Body (NGB) for American Football in the United States and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football (IFAF), the international governing body for the sport of American football. USA Football selects, trains and leads Team USA Football® in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. USA Football is committed to ensuring every athlete has access to develop and compete in the game through safer, inclusive and innovative pathways. For more information, visit usafootball.com.