Football players enshrined in hall of fame

CULVER CITY - The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame recognized 75 Los Angeles-area young men for their dedication to football, education, family and community during a black-tie event March 16 at the Doubletree Hotel in Culver City.Among the honorees were three former Downey Pop Warner Razorbacks who have distinguished themselves on the field, in the classroom and in their community: Shane Baumann, James Bettencourt and Joseph Palacios. The three student athletes had their names enshrined in the National Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Ind. Baumann is a four-year varsity long snapper and three-year strong safety from St. John Bosco High School. He was to the Second Team All Trinity League in 2010 and earned first team honors in 2011. He was also chosen to the Long Beach Press-Telegram's Dream Team and ESPN Los Angeles's Dream Team last year. Baumann holds St. John Bosco's career tackles record with 257. He has a 3.2 GPA. Bettencourt is a two-year varsity player at Warren High School where he was named a first team, All San Gabriel Valley League defensive back. He was named Warren High's Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Bettencourt has a 3.8 GPA. His brother, Sam, was similarly honored by the National Football Foundation in 2010. Palacios, also from Warren, was a linebacker and team captain for the Bears this past season. He earned Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors while playing most of the season with a broken foot. He has a 3.2 GPA and will attend Whittier College in the fall. All three young men played for the Downey Youth Football Razorbacks and were on the same team during their eighth grade years.

********** Published: March 22, 2012 - Volume 10 - Issue 49